Michael Scherrer, a 48-year-old content creator from Lake Constance, Switzerland, has spent a year constructing a miniature Greek village in his backyard, aiming to recreate the ambiance of a Mediterranean getaway close to home. The project, which cost £10,000, is part of a larger, privately built theme park on his property that has incurred a total of £20,000 in expenses.
Scherrer, with assistance from his 46-year-old brother Samuel, designed the village to feature authentic elements such as cobbled streets, blue shutters, and a traditional bar. The village itself measures 15 by 15 meters, a scale so small that visitors can reportedly struggle to stand up properly within its confines. Scherrer stated that the decision to choose a Greek theme was influenced by the successful completion of a complex fairy tale alleyway, noting that the white and blue color scheme of the Greek village was comparatively simpler and aesthetically pleasing.
The motivation behind building the larger theme park stemmed from a desire to engage in gardening and construction. The entire property spans 1,500 square meters, with 600 square meters developed so far. The themed areas include various international inspirations, narrow alleyways, and seasonal spaces like Halloween-themed sections, alongside a small Irish bar.
Scherrer described the village as an immersive experience, saying that entering it during summer makes him feel transported. He envisions using one of the small homes as a guest room or bedroom during the spring months. Currently, he intends to leave the Greek village as is until closer to Halloween, pausing outdoor work on such projects until spring.
Future plans for the extensive garden project include adding a fishing village, a dedicated guest room, and potentially a pirate ship. This endeavor follows a report in March about a Grade II-listed farmhouse in Oxfordshire that was listed for £1.6 million and featured its own miniature village in the front garden, complete with tiny cottages, a church, and gardens.