Surely many of us visited this place as children. One is fascinated to see the scale reproductions of our peninsula. And maybe you even dream of being able to walk on it and play with it. The park of Italy in Italy has a long history of fifty years miniature. A marvel for the eyes capable of transmitting joy and amazement at any age. A place that over the years has become a destination for many travelers, a must for tourism to discover the wonders of Italy.
The park started in 1970 with small reproductions is now really big and its attractions are more and more avant-garde. We talk about it hoping to arouse in you, for those who have not yet been there, the curiosity to visit it.
Italy in miniature, a dream started 50 years ago
It all began in 1970. We are in Rimini and the owner of a company of heating systems and passionate about travel, history and art, Ivo Rambaldi returned to Italy from one of his trips with a nice idea. He had visited a miniature park on a visit abroad. And so he decided to build one in his land. He therefore started this ambitious project which took shape over the years. To create a place that would collect the rich heritage of cultural and monumental heritage of Italy on a scale.
However, the material to make the small monuments had to be resistant. And the strong and moldable resin foam was chosen. And so, with a team of 14 technicians, 2 surveyors and 4 professors, Rambaldi began his project. First by photographing the Italian monuments and measuring them. He did a great deal of research until he created the first monument: Sant'Apollinare in Classe, in homage to Ravenna, his hometown.
The inauguration of Italy in miniature in July 1970
The structure with fifty monuments on an area of 20 thousand square meters opened on July 4th, 1970. And from that point on it has been a great growth. It is counted, as reported by the information collected on the park's website, that in these fifty years it has been visited by thirty million visitors. There are over 270 architectural and landscape wonders, Italian and European, represented. And there are about 10 thousand plants and 5 thousand miniature trees. Since March 2014 Italia in Miniatura has become part of the Costa Parchi Edutainment Group. The total area is 85 thousand square meters. This year the milestone of fifty years will be crossed. And many appointments are in the pipeline for this great event.
Some curiosities about the park
Italy in miniature contains 273 works made on a scale of reproductions from 1:25 to 1:50. And the processing times are also known. For example, to make the details of the miniatures of the Basilica of Saint Peter in Rome and the whole structure it took 6 months with a team of 6 people. For the Colosseum 4 months and 4 people at work. For the large Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa and the details of its Tower 6 months; 4 people. Over 6.000 hours of work for the masterpiece of the Milan Cathedral. And the realization of is also a great work Venezia, which occupies an area of 6.600 square meters. The bell tower of San Marco 20 meters high, and 119 buildings have been reproduced for a 9-year work. The Verona Arena is also spectacular, with spectators.
From manual work to the use of new technology
It took a long time to make the miniatures. In the past the craftsmen they made them by hand. Through the carving on plates of a particular type of resin. Over the years, technology has made progress and now the processing has evolved. The production company is the "General Display". Photogrammetry and 3D laser surveying are used to create the virtual model of the building. And a few years ago a particular installation dedicated to the tricolor was also built.
And the attractions don't end there. Initiatives to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the opening are already in the pipeline. With many events for everyone, from schools to families. In fact, the large park is visited every year by many young people, to discover Italian miniatures and monuments.
