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Madurodam, The Hague, The Netherlands on the 5th of August, 2019. Photo by Elekes Andor. .

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Madurodam

Madurodam is a miniature park and tourist attraction in the Scheveningen district of The Hague in the Netherlands. The park was opened in 1952 and has since been visited by tens of millions of visitors. The entirety of net proceeds from the park go towards various charities in the Netherlands.

The park has replicas of the most famous Dutch castles, industrial projects and public buildings. Guests are treated to a trip through the history of the country and its famous buildings. Not only that, but they can also enjoy a hands-on experience while exploring the park.

Madurodam first opened its doors on July 2, 1952 and has seen more than 50 million visitors since that day. Here are the Top 10 Interesting Facts about Madurodam.

1. The park was named after George Maduro

Model of a fictional village named Starpenheuvel at Madurodam. Photo by Willem Nabuurs. .

George Maduro was a Dutch law student from Curaçao who fought the Nazi occupation forces. He first fought as a lieutenant in the army and later as a member of the Dutch resistance. Maduro died at Dachau concentration camp in 1945.

In 1946, Maduro was posthumously awarded the Medal of Knight Fourth class of the Military Order of William, the highest and oldest military decoration in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This was for  the valor he had demonstrated in the Battle of the Netherlands against German troops.

2. The idea of starting a park was initiated by Mrs B. Boon-van der Starp

Mrs B. Boon-van der Starp was a member of a foundation for the Dutch Students Sanatorium. In this sanatorium students with tuberculosis could obtain treatment, and could also study. Financial support was needed to pay for their convalescent care.

Mrs. Boon-van der Starp heard about Bekonscot, a miniature park in Beaconsfield, England. This park generated large profits, a large part of which was donated to a hospital in London each year. After a meeting with Mrs Boon-van der Starp, George Maduro’s parents donated the funds needed for the Madurodam project.

3. Everything in the park has been built in a scale of 1:25

When the management decides that a specific miniature is to be made for Madurodam, the builders first research all aspects of the actual building. They research the shape, color and all other properties of that object, by analysing many pictures. After this they start making the models.

A computer measures everything and sends all information to a machine that makes the physical model. The model goes to the painting room, where it gets the final look. In this painting room restorations also take place. Because most of the miniatures are outdoors, they need regular paint retouches.

4. The park has a fantastiron

Model of the house Polderblik in Almere, Flevoland at Madurodam. Photo by Willem Nabuurs. .

 Fantasitron is a 3D selfie photo booth where patrons can have 3D models of themselves created by software from pictures taken in the photo booth. A third-party printing company such as Shapeways prints and ships manufactured models to patrons.

5. It’s a perfect way to learn about Netherlands

Not only does interaction with the miniature displays makes for good old fun, it also allows you to genuinly learn something about the Netherlands. And hey, since all the famous Dutch trademarks are represented here you’ll learn just the things you need to impress future guests when you’re guiding them around in the Netherlands or make your way around the country if you’re a visitor.

Not only does interaction with the miniature displays makes for good old fun, it also allows you to genuinly learn something about the Netherlands. And hey, since all the famous Dutch trademarks are represented here you’ll learn just the things you need to impress future guests when you’re guiding them around in the Netherlands.

6. The park utilizes technology to accentuate it’s features

In addition to digital screens, users are also given a personal smartphone to use throughout the park. This device provides a media-rich experience that explains the story behind each object.

7. Madurodam has three themed areas

Model of the Marina at Madurodam. Photo by Willem Nabuurs. .

There are three areas in the park and a playground for children. The three themed areas include: VindingRijk – ‘The Netherlands as a source of inspiration.’ This part of the park focuses on Dutch innovations, architecture, design and entertainment. WaterRijk – ‘Water as friend and foe.’ StedenRijk – Old town centers are the focus of this area of the park.

There is also a section of the park called Wereldkijker, which resembles a globe. Here, visitors can learn about the many accomplishments of the Dutch and what makes their small country so big. In addition, children can play in the themed playground called ‘Wadden Sea.’

8. Madurodam’s proceeds are used for charity

The idea for the park was inspired by the world’s first model village; Bekonscot. Just like this miniature park, Madurodam’s profits were meant to support charity. The profits of Madurodam were mainly used to financially support the Dutch Students Sanatorium, a place where students with tuberculosis we’re given treatment and the possibility study in the meanwhile.

Since the closure of the Dutch Student Sanatorium for Tuberculosis, the project supports the social and cultural institutions for both healthy and disabled through a foundation. A visit to Madurodam is therefore not for pleasure for tourists, but also serves a good purpose.

9. Trees and bushes planted in the park are maintained at less than 60 centimeters

Of particular interest are bushes and trees planted in the park, whose height is maintained by efforts of gardeners at a level of no more than 60 cm.

10. Madurodam strives to show a realistic view of The Netherlands

The Madurodam Miniature Park. Photo by Cqui. .

yMadurodam strives to show a realistic view of The Netherlands in a scaled-down environment. Everything, including flora and street decoration, is modeled to scale. Producing scaled-down trees is time-consuming. Also there are a lot of little people around the buildings.

This shows the real life of the Dutch people. These “residents” also change with the weather. In the winter they wear jackets and warm clothes and in the summer they wear T-shirts. The “residents” of Madurodam have become more and more multicultural, and include some who appear to have come from other countries (immigrants), reflecting real life in The Netherlands.