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Miniaturk Park. Photo by Terrible broom.

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Miniat眉rk

Located at the northeastern shore of Golden Horn in Istanbul in Turkey, the Miniat眉rk which was opened on 2^nd May 2003 is a miniature park.

Occupying a model area measuring 160,000 square feet and total area of 650,000 square feet, Miniaturk is the world鈥檚 largest miniature park.

Miniaturk contains interpretations of historic structures and 135 models in 1.25 scales of original structures from in and around Turkey and also from overseas territories.

A total 300 vehicles can be accommodated in the parking lot of the park while 430,000 square feet is open space, 38,000 square feet is covered and 22,000 square feet contains pools and waterways.

The top 10 amazing facts about Miniaturk include the following.

1. Visitors to Turkey Can See 135 Models of Turkey鈥檚 Cultural Heritage

Miniaturk. Photo by Boris Dzhingarov.

People visiting Turkey may find visiting the different attractions available within the country not only expensive but time consuming since the country is huge.

It is practically impossible to visit many places such as castles, archaeological remains, palaces, churches, mosques, and modern buildings from the east to the west, from Kars to Edirne in Turkey during one visit.

Turkey hosts many archaeological sites of Byzantine times and many buildings inherited from the Seljukian and Ottoman periods scattered in various parts of the country. 

Visitors in Istanbul have an opportunity to see 135 models of Turkey鈥檚 and Ottoman鈥檚 unmovable cultural heritage at the Miniaturk without having to visit the real buildings.

2. Miniaturk Is A Huge Park of Small Models

Miniaturk Models. Photo by Boris Dzhingarov.

Established in 2003 by the Istanbul Cosmopolitan Municipality, Miniaturk is simply a huge park of small models. The park was designed to showcase Turkey and Anatolia in Istanbul.

 The heart of Turkish and Anatolia culture and history is personified by Istanbul. Miniaturk has been portrayed as 鈥�A small model for a Great Country鈥� to visitors in Istanbul.

3. The Park Is Large Enough to Accommodate Models At 1/25 Of Original Size

Miniaturk Model. Photo by Boris Dzhingarov.

All the 135 models in the park were constructed at 1/25 of their original size using perfect dimensions.

 The park occupies 650, 000 square feet with the 135 models which are an exact replica of the original buildings or monuments.

Of the total area occupied 430,000 square feet is open space, 38,000 square feet is covered and 22,000 square feet contains pools and waterways among others.

4. The Park Contains Models from Different Places in Turkey

Miniature park contains three categories of models namely works from Istanbul, works from Anatolia and works from overseas territories which are mainly works from Ottoman former lands outside of the country.

Works of Istanbul constitutes 62 models; works from Ottoman lands outside Turkey are 13 models while from Anatolia there are 60 models among other amenities.

5. Miniaturk Is A Visitor Friendly Park

Visitors have an opportunity to see most popular cultural and architectural heritage of Turkey and former Ottoman lands within the park.

Nine different languages are used to convey information about the models to visitors walking around the park.

The languages used include English, French, German, Russian, Arabic, Persian, Japanese, and Spanish.

Information in these languages is given through The Miniaturk Mobile Application which is easily accessible to visitors.

6. Miniaturk Is Located by The Historically Significant Golden Horn

Each model in the park is the work of a professional artist and model builder as each model is meticulously built as no detail was skipped.

Even though the small-sized models carry with them a lot of historical and cultural significance, the land on which the park is located has some important historical significance as well.

The Golden Horn has witnessed the beginnings and collapses of much emperorship throughout its existence.   The Golden Horn is situated by the Miniaturk.

7. Miniaturk Is Ideal for Family Activities and Fun

Children love Miniaturk as it provides accessible and simple information and exhibition of historical monuments and buildings.

Miniaturk helps families to determine which places to visit since families can see the models of attractions in each place in the country and beyond.

Families which visit the park are able to draw a better plan of places to visit in future. 

Miniaturk helps families to see every major tourist attraction before visiting the real attraction.

8. The 62 models of Istanbul Has Miniatures of Famous Places in Istanbul

Mosque Model. Photo by Boris Dzhingarov.

Models of most famous places in Istanbul can be viewed in Miniaturk. Some of these famed buildings and places include Topkapi Palace, Bosphorus Bridge, and Sultanahmet Mosque.

Other famed places include Sadullah Pasha Mansion, The Pertevniyal High School.

Models have also been built of Bastarda 1657 which is an Ottoman galley, the Haseki Hurrem Bath and the Beylerbeyi Palace which was a summer palace built by the late-Ottoman period. 

9. The Park Boasts Of 60 Models of Anatolia

Models of buildings in Anatolia which have huge religious and cultural significance have also been built.

 Some of the buildings whose models can be found in the Miniaturk include Ephesus Celsus Library, The Altar of Zeus, The Temple of Artemis, Christian cultural heritages such as The Virgin Mary Church and Trabzon Sumela Monastery among others.

There are also models of Islamic buildings in Anatolia such as the Haci Bektas-I Veli Complex, Bursa Grand Mosque, The Haci Bayram Mosque, and Ishak Pasha Palace among others.

10. The Park Holds 13 Models from Outside Territories and Other Entertainment Ammenities

Since the Ottoman Empire extended to the Balkans and Africa, there are many buildings built during the Ottoman period which are located outside of Turkey.

 Thirteen models in the park are from some of these buildings as they reflect the cultural characteristics replete in Turkey and Anatolia.

Some of these buildings include Ataturk鈥檚 house in Tsalloniki; Mostar Bridge which was built by Mimar Sinan in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and The Ecyad Castel in Mecca.

Other buildings include The Al-Masjid Al Aqsa, Sultan Murad Tomb in Kosovo, Walls of Jerusalem and Damascus Gate.

Ottoman influence on the architecture and cultures of different nations can be seen at Miniaturk.

The park hosts cafeterias and restaurants managed by Istanbul Cosmopolitan Municipality and which offer pocket friendly beverages, foods and snacks.

The different restaurants in the park serve the same menu and hence visitors can have breakfast, lunch and even dinner at the park at the restaurant closets to them.

Booths are also available for visitors to buy French fries, juice, ice cream, corn and chocolate to enjoy as they tour the park.

The park also has a chess hall, a simulation helicopter tour, a ferryboat, a mini-stadia and many other entertainment spots.