The park, located near the Atomium monument, features miniature versions of landmark buildings from across the European Union, the United Kingdom, and, since last year, Ukraine.
The new Polish exhibits were officially unveiled on Tuesday during a ceremony attended by city officials, diplomats, and representatives of Polish cultural and tourism institutions.
The expansion complements two existing Polish models: the Artus Court with Neptune’s Fountain from Gdańsk on Poland's Baltic coast, and the monument outside the historic Gdańsk Shipyard, which were added in 2004, the year Poland joined the European Union.
The addition of the Warsaw landmarks is part of a joint initiative by Poland’s embassy in Belgium and the Polish Tourism Organisation, carried out in partnership with the City of Warsaw, the Royal Łazienki Museum, national airline LOT, and the regional government of Poland's central Mazowieckie province.
The models were designed by Polish architect Jan Gottwald.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to promote Polish culture—not just in Brussels and Belgium, but across all of Europe," said Katarzyna Skórzyńska, Poland’s chargé d’affaires in Belgium.
"Mini-Europe is visited by more than 400,000 people every year. As Poland takes on the presidency of the European Union, we face serious political and diplomatic challenges, but also have a chance to spotlight our cultural heritage," she added.
Warsaw city secretary Maciej Fijałkowski expressed hope that the new miniatures would encourage tourists to visit the Polish capital in person.
"We hope that visitors to Mini-Europe will be inspired to come to Warsaw and see the unique Royal Łazienki Museum and other attractions for themselves,” he said.
The Palace on the Isle is a neoclassical residence commissioned by Poland’s last king, Stanisław August Poniatowski. It stands on an artificial island connected to land by two column-lined bridges, surrounded by tranquil gardens and water features in the Royal Łazienki Park.
The Chopin monument, created by sculptor Wacław Szymanowski, honours Poland’s most famous composer. It depicts Chopin seated under a stylized willow tree and was originally unveiled in 1926.
During World War II, occupying German forces destroyed the statue and attempted to eliminate all copies. A surviving model was found among the rubble of the sculptor’s destroyed home, and the monument was rebuilt and unveiled again in 1958.
For 65 years, open-air Chopin concerts have been held under the statue every Sunday from May through September. Mini-Europe’s new installation recreates this tradition with a model of the concert setting and an accompanying sound system playing Chopin’s music.
Małgorzata Wilk-Grzywna, deputy head of the Polish Tourism Organisation, told reporters that Chopin was chosen for his universal recognition.
"We hope that Belgians will enjoy our two new miniatures and that they will take an interest not only in Warsaw, but in the broader tourism potential of Poland," she said.
Brussels Mayor Philippe Close also welcomed the expansion, highlighting the city’s diverse cultural landscape.
"Brussels is not only the capital of European institutions," he said. "It’s also a place where we celebrate and share the heritage of all cultures. With 25,000 Poles living in Brussels, it is important to showcase Polish contributions. Chopin wasn’t French—he was Polish—and Poland’s cultural legacy is vital to European identity."
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP