- Address: 1020 Brussels, Belgium
- Phone: +32 2 474 13 13
- E-mail: info@minieurope.eu
- Website: http://www.minieurope.eu/
- Opening: 1989
- Opening hours: 9.30 - 18.00 (March-October)
- The cost of visiting: adult - 15 euros, children - 10 euros
In the capital of Belgium, Brussels, on an area of 24 thousand square meters is the world-famous Mini Europe Park. It is quite a popular place, which is visited by about 300 000 people a year. On its territory are miniatures of the most famous sights from 27 countries of the European Union. The most famous of them are the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Sacre Coeur Basilica, the Brandenburg Gate, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Acropolis and others.
general information
The park was built 350 buildings from 80 cities. The scale of the buildings is made with an accuracy of one to twenty-five, for example, the height of the Eiffel Tower is equal to the height of a three-story house, and Big Ben reaches four meters. Also, colossal accuracy in the performance of works was preserved. So, in the arena for the duel in Seville, every figure of a man was painted by hand. And in the Spanish cathedral of St. James worked every detail.
In 1987, a group of historians and artists of Europe conceived a large-scale project, which has no analogues in the world. For this purpose, the selection of famous cathedrals, churches, town halls, fortresses, ancient castles, squares, streets and other famous objects was started. Experts in their choice based on many factors:
- socio-cultural significance of the exhibit;
- architectural importance;
- surrounding site;
- technical possibility of creation.
Some states are represented in the Mini Europe park by seven or eight places of interest (Netherlands, Germany, Italy, France).
Creation of exhibits of the park of miniatures
In the construction of the Mini Europe Park in Brussels, nine states supported the construction of 55 workshops at the same time. Time and resources for the creation of miniatures were spent a lot. Each original photographed up to a thousand times, then drew a diagram, and then on special equipment made from high-quality silicone material individual parts that were glued into the finished composition. When the miniature was completely ready, the artists began to work. Their main task was to decorate the exhibits in exact accordance with the original: it was required to repeat all shades, colors and images.
From all this it is clear that the cost of the objects turned out to be very expensive. Some copies were estimated at 350 thousand euros (for example, the Brussels Grand Prix). In general, the creation of the Mini-Europe Miniatures Park has taken more than ten million euros. If the cost of exhibits can be estimated in money, then the time spent is difficult to imagine.
What to see in the Mini Europe Park in Brussels?
In the park almost every exhibit can not only be viewed visually, but also listen:
- the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius (the scale here, naturally, is much less than one to twenty-five);
- extinguishing a fire in the port of Barcelona;
- the collapse of the Berlin Wall;
- bullfighting in the bullfighting area in Seville, where up to six thousand hand-painted people are in the stands - all this is animated and accompanied by a sound effect;
- one can trace the path that a super-high-speed train makes from one end of France to the other.
Near each miniature there is an electronic scoreboard, which displays a brief historical information. And if you press the button, then a characteristic sound will play (for example, Big Ben issues a real chime) or the anthem of the country relating to the exhibit. In the dark, each miniature is illuminated from all sides by lanterns, which creates a fabulous and romantic atmosphere.
To the tourist on a note
The price of entrance to the park of miniatures is 15 euro for an adult and 10 euro for a child. You can also get a 10% discount. To do this, the hotel at the stands often hang special coupons, which you can take visitors. Combined tickets are also sold for those who are going to visit the Atomium and the water park at the same time. This is a very beneficial savings for travelers. For example, a visit to the Mini Europe Park and Atomium will cost 23.5 euros for adults, and children up to 12 years old - 15 euros. If you want to combine a visit to the park with an aqua park, the price will be 26 and 20 euros for adults and children, respectively. If you want to go immediately to three excursions, then the total ticket will cost 35 euros.
The Mini-Europe Miniature Park is open from 9am to 6pm. And in July and August - until 20.00. To have time to consider everything and make memorable photos, you should come here for at least two hours.
How to get to the Mini Europe Park?
Miniature Europe Mini Park is a 25-minute drive from the center of Brussels. It can be reached by public transport , for example, by metro: blue (it's the sixth) branch, the stop is called Heysel. Round-trip ticket is four euros (purchased in a vending machine). Also here you can take a taxi.
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