The already rather small country of Monaco has been painstakingly recreated in miniature 1:87 scale, shifting from just over two square kilometres in size into an intricately detailed 70 metre squared model at Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg.
HSH Prince Albert and Princess Charlene were joined by their children, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella in inaugurating the impressive Monaco model on Thursday, April 25, ahead of the exhibits official opening to the public on the following day.
It took 150,000 hours of hard work, both digital and physical, as well as five million euros to create this special addition to what truly is a miniature wonderland. A 22 metre long circuit provides a faithful recreating of the Monaco Grand Prix, over and over again, as tiny Formula 1 cars follow 100,000 lines of programming code in order to have a different race around the Principality every time.
Watch the 2024 Miniature Grand Prix below:
Condamine, Port Hercule and Monte-Carlo are replicated along with the circuit, while Monaco-Ville is also tastefully recreated, including an opening Oceanographic Museum, the Prince’s palace and its square, and the Monaco cathedral, which has been cast in a black and white scene featuring the wedding of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace in 1956.
23,000 LEDs light up 175 yachts and over 350 buildings as night and party time descends on Monaco. 8,000 figures take their places across the model world, which has been anticipated for 11 years until its appropriate inauguration by the sovereign of the full scale version of the country.
Discover more about miniature Monaco and Miniatur Wunderland on the website here.
Featured image courtesy of Eric Mathon / Palais Princier de Monaco: HSH Prince Albert, Princess Charlene and the twins enjoy exploring miniature Monaco
