Madurodam, the Netherlands - travel experience, post, guide, blog and photos

Netherlands: Amsterdam, Delft, Edam, Haarlem, Madurodam, Marken, The Hague, Volendam, Zaanse Schans

Madurodam, the Netherlands: Stories of the Dutch
by Prakash Bang, Editor in Chief

Heineken Experience, Madurodam, the Netherlands

Madurodam is a miniature city located in Scheveningen, near The Hague, Capital city of the Netherlands. It is a model of a Dutch town on a 1:25 scale, composed of typical Dutch buildings and landmarks, as are found at various locations in the country.

Dutch Parliament, The Binnenhof, Madurodam, the Netherlands

I took a train from Amsterdam Centraal to Den Haag Centraal. From Den Haag Centraal station, tram No. 9 took me straight to Madurodam. The one-way tram journey costs Euro 2.50. The entry fee to this miniature wonderland was Euro 14.50. One could easily spend the entire day and yet ask for more time. The exhibits are indeed empowering. The craftsmanship is priceless.

The miniature city was named after George Maduro, a Jewish law student from Curaçao who fought the Nazi occupation forces as a member of the Dutch resistance and died at Dachau concentration camp in 1945. In 1946 Maduro was posthumously awarded the medal of Knight 4th-class of the Military Order of William, the highest and oldest military decoration in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, for the valor he had demonstrated in the Battle of the Netherlands against German troops. His parents donated the funds necessary for the Madurodam project. All proceeds are for charity.

On July 2, 1952, the then teenaged princess Beatrix was appointed mayor of Madurodam, after which she was given a tour of her town. When Beatrix became queen of the Netherlands, she relinquished this function. Today, the mayor of Madurodam is elected by a youth municipal council consisting of 25 pupils from schools in the region.

Madurodam consists of 3 themed areas: City Centre, Water World and Innovation Island.

The City Centre area shows how the Netherlands has grown from the old cities to the country that it is today. One can see the traces of these developments in the buildings, squares and streets each with their own story.

Flower Market, Madurodam, the Netherlands

In the Water World area one can witness how the Netherlands deals with water as a friend and as a foe. Amongst many exhibits are the hustle and bustle of the Rotterdam port, workings of a watermill, locks of Oosterschelde barrier, dykes and canal systems.

The Innovation Island exhibits demonstrate the international success of the country’s entrepreneurial spirit and innovative strength. Country’s architecture, logistics, entertainment, sports and design earns an accolade.

Apart from the 3 areas, children can enjoy in the Waddenzee playground. And of course eating places can spoil you with local and international cuisine.

I spent about 2 hours walking Madurodam. I took the tram back to Den Haag Centraal to continue the discovery of the Capital city.

Madurodam Image Gallery Photo viewer