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Make Merry at Miniature World
Humans have long been fascinated with observing our civilization in microcosm. As far back as ancient Egypt, populations constructed tall structures to climb and look out at the expanse before them, drawn to experiencing the world at a small scale and enjoying the sense of perspective such an experience brings. The tradition has continued in the modern world, with tourists ever drawn to climbing tall structures around the world, whether ascending to the top of the duomo of St. Peter’s Basilica or the top of the planet at Mount Everest’s summit.
Even children through the ages have shown an interest in the world in miniature, playing with dolls and toy soldiers, recreating life on a small scale, a life they can more easily understand.
Travel across our vast country in a few minutes, and take in the landscape, the culture, the people
Victoria’s Miniature World is a treat for those of us who long to feel the world at our fingertips. Instead of climbing 500 stairs to see the world smaller than life, the world around us is recreated in miniature, offering the same perspective shift many of us seek from climbing tall structures. The unique tourist exhibit features more than 80 dioramas crafted with exquisite, life-like detail. Like Gulliver among the Lilliputians or Alice in Wonderland, you will feel a giant in this incredible world of miniature.
The Lilliputians get the best of Gulliver and show him the greatness of small
Follow a working train across Canada’s varied landscape in the world’s largest railway model; study military formations in the Fields of Glory, depicting army scenes from great wars of the past; and travel to the Enchanted Valley of Castles, Olde London Towne of 1670, and even an old fashioned circus—even in miniature, you can sense the splendour of the Grand City Parade, the marvel of High Wire Acts, and the terror of Wild Beasts!
The Norman liberation comes to life, with every piece of rubble placed meticulously
A working, miniature lumber mill is a highlight for some, while others will gasp at the detail in the dollhouses, including two of the world’s largest from around 1880. Young and old will be fascinated by scenes from our future in Space 2201, and will delight in identifying favourite fairy tales.
The future doesn't look bleak in this fabulous glow-in-the-dark model of Space 2201
Certainly part of the fun comes from being amazed at the detail put into these miniature worlds—the paintings on the walls of dollhouses, the foliage along the Great Canadian Railway, the stonework on the castles.
Fairy land made to scale (according to their tiny standards!)
But there are lessons behind these miniatures, too.
A real, live working lumber mill—made for Thumbelina!
The railway tells the history of early Canada; the war scenes remind us that our soldiers were not nameless figures lined up in esthetically pleasing formations; and a peek at Dickensonian London teaches us how far technology has come and how human ingenuity has propelled our world into an age that Dickens himself would think is as futuristic as the diorama of Space 2201.
Ah, the bright lights of the circus, illuminating daring acts and children's imaginations
If you dream of holding the world in the palm of your hand, Miniature World, the "greatest little show on earth," will satisfy what seems to be a standing human need to experience the world at a smaller scale, and at the same time, will open your eyes to both an exciting hobby and a unique Victoria tourist attraction you’ll be glad you explored.
- Photos & text by Jessica Woollard©
