AUGUST 2023 – Scaled model of the Basilica San Pietro in Rome, exhibited in the Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg, Germany. Photo © Mark Zanzig/zanzig.com
The story behind the image
One of the must-see’s in Hamburg, Germany, is certainly the Miniatur Wunderland, the world’s largest model railway. To be precise, it’s a giant model railway that by now also features a fully operational (model) airport, multiple (model) concert stages, and various themed exhibitions that each cover a respective topic or region. It’s awesome.
What makes it so great is the love of detail that goes into each model and scene. They try to get as close as possible to the original. This goal is supported by countless little stories that have been carefully woven into the scenes waiting to be discovered by the visitors.
This shot from the Italian World shows their impressive model of the Basilica San Pietro in Rome. I deliberately opted for a low angle that puts us (the viewer) on the same level as the Pope. The inclusion of the ceiling and background makes clear that this is just a model which by the way looks more compact than the life-sized original, probably due to space limitations.
The pope stands on the balcony, joined by two priests, and waves to the pilgrimage crowd. Here’s a closer crop:
Then I realized the story in this picture that can be easily overlooked:
The Pope is waving to the crowd – and the people on the Piazza do not care!
There are smaller tourist groups that listen to their guide. A group of Nordic Walkers seems rushes by with long steps. A photographer takes a professional portrait photo of a couple. Another photographer takes a fashion photo.
Essentially, the people do not care. Is there a secret message here? I can’t say. It might have happened by accident, but everything in the miniature world has been well thought-through so overlooking this sub-text would be a surprise to me.
Anyway, it is pure fun to discover these and countless other stories and details at the Miniatur Wunderland.
P.S.: I totally adore the Fiat Punto car of the local police, which adds a genuine Italian flavor to the model.
P.P.S.: Here are further photos from MiWuLa.
The high resolution image
| Capture Date & Time | 11-AUG-2023, 18:46 |
| Location | Hamburg, Germany |
| Camera | Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo (SM-G903F) |
| ISO | 64 |
| Exposure | 1/33 sec at f/1.9 |
| Digital Image Source Format | JPEG, 24 bits/pixel, sRGB |
| Edited Image Format | JPEG, 24 bits/pixel, sRGB |
| Edited Image Dimensions | 2541 x 2049 Pixels |
| Copyright | Model © by Miniatur Wunderland, Hamburg Photo © by Mark Zanzig/zanzig.com |
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