Madurodam: The Netherlands in Miniature

Madurodam is a miniature park in The Hague that presents Dutch cities, buildings, waterways, ports, railways, and other infrastructure at a scale of 1:25. Princess Beatrix officially opened the park on July 2, 1952. Moving trains, boats, and road traffic animate the model landscape, creating a compact interpretation of Dutch architecture, transportation, and water management.

The park was conceived by Bep Boon-van der Starp as a fundraiser for the Dutch Students’ Sanatorium, where students with tuberculosis could recover while continuing their studies. George Maduro’s parents provided the startup capital and intended the park to serve as a living memorial to their son.

George John Lionel Maduro (1916–1945) was a Curaçao-born Jewish law student and reserve cavalry officer. During the German invasion of the Netherlands in May 1940, he led an attack against German forces near The Hague. He later joined the Dutch resistance, was captured, and was deported to Dachau concentration camp, where he died in February 1945. In 1946, he was posthumously awarded the Military Order of William, Knight Fourth Class, for his actions during the 1940 fighting.

Photograph-Date Context

The photographs were taken in 2015, three years after Madurodam reopened following a major renovation. The 2012 redesign added interactive exhibits to the outdoor miniature city, including activities focused on Dutch water engineering, aviation, and commerce.

Current Context

Madurodam remains both an attraction and a war memorial. Its miniature landscape is now accompanied by hands-on and indoor attractions, while proceeds continue to support projects for children and young people through the Madurodam Children’s Fund.