Have you heard of this place? Have you SEEN it? Madurodam is Holland’s smallest city, but I’m guessing it has to be one of the
smallest in the world too. Homes, businesses, cars, gardens, windmills and all things Dutch are replicated in minute
detail on a 1:25 scale. It was opened in 1952 as a war monument and charity foundation. This mini amusement park
features more than 700 buildings, bridges, trees and trains that can be seen (in their life-size versions) throughout
the Netherlands — it features monuments, landmarks and public institutions from cities like Utrecht, Rotterdam, The
Haugue and Amsterdam. All this and it’s the first city in the world that runs completely on solar energy! For over 50
years this miniature city has been entertaining guests with its quaint charm and an ongoing series of rotating exhibits
and special events. Coming up next is Magic Ice, a collection of ice sculptures that depict a frozen city of Dutch and
Chinese buildings, which will run through May 7, 2006. If you can only stop in one city in the Netherlands, consider
this one so you can see a mini version of the entire country all in one place. Hope your eyesight is good!