Google Maps Miniatur Wunderland Tour

Now from the comfort of your home you can visit the amazing Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg Germany via Google Maps.

Explore the world's largest model railway with just a few clicks and get an up close and personal view of every small detail.

Knuffingen in Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg Germany via Google Maps

 A Beautifully laid out map let's you navigate your way through highlights of the elaborate diorama displays.

Miniatur Wunderland Navigation Map Via Google Maps

From the port city of Hamburg, 

Hamburg-Miniatur Wunderland-Via Google Maps

 to a snowy scene in Scandinavia 

Scandinavia-Miniatur Wunderland-Via Google Maps

to America's Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore in Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg Germany

  and a fictional town called Knuffingen, 

Knuffingen-Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg Germany

this enchanting tour may lead you to making a real trip to Hamburg to marvel at these miniatures in person.

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Miniature Christmas Village History and Modern Makers

The tradition of setting up magical Christmas Villages on tabletops and mantels across America, began as a tradition of the Moravian Church, a Protestant denomination, and has continued to evolve over the last 130 years.
Originally set under the Christmas tree, 'Putz' houses, as they were called, were typically made from cardboard and mostly manufactured in Japan and Germany. For a thorough history of Christmas Villages, visit Family Christmas Online and for instructions on how to build your own glittered 'Putz' house visit Cardboard Christmas.

DIY-Putz Houses from Cardboard Christmas

Department 56 Ceramics https://www.department56.com/home.do

Modern Makers of the the ceramic Christmas Villages, which have become staples for the American Christmas Collector, include Department 56, a Minnesota based company whose collections range from their original Snow Village, Dickens Village, Alpine Village, to more contemporary themed villages like Disney's Frozen and Downton Abbey.

Department 56 Dickens Village

Department 56 Alpine Village

Department 56-Downton Abbey Village

Lemax Christmas Village

Another growing Christmas collectibles maker Lemax, offers merry miniaturists a variety of villages, including a Victorian Christmas Village, Santa's Wonderland, Vail Village, Caddington Village, and numerous collectible enhancements and figurines sure to complete your Christmas Village wonderland.

Lemax-Santa's Wonderland

Lemax Vail Village

Lemax Caddington Collection

 And finally, the Bradford Exchange, is also a great source for limited edition collectibles, especially if your taste ranges a bit outside of Christmas. Their wide array of collectible collections include the Nightmare Before Christmas Village, Star Wars Galatic Village and Thomas Kinkade Christmas Village collectibles. 

Bradford Exchange-Nightmare Before Christmas Collection

Bradford Exchange-Star Wars Galactic Village

Thomas Kinkade-Christmas House-Bradford Exchange

So, if you haven't started your miniature village collection, perhaps one of these collections will inspire future Holidays full of magical miniatures and diorama dreams. Happy Holidays!

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