Swissminiatur - Switzerland in miniature

Swissminiatur was inaugurated on 6th June 1959 and this year it celebrates the 60 year’s anniversary. It is an open-air miniature park located in Melide, on the shore of Lake Lugano, in the Italian speaking part of Switzerland. The park is surrounded by mountains like Monte Generoso, Monte San Salvatore and Monte San Giorgio, which has been declared an UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. In an area of 14,000 m2 visitors can admire more than 120 models at scale of 1:25 which represent the most important buildings, monuments and transportation means in Switzerland. A 3,560m long model railway with 18 trains runs through the park. It is fascinating to watch the variety of trains that run along the tracks, cross bridges and stop by at stations. Boats are also in motion on the lakes, cable cars and funiculars go up and down the mountains and cars move along the highway. For garden lovers, the whole park is beautifully decorated with a selection of 1,500 different plants and over 15,000 flowers. There are several coin operated rides for children.