The Model Railway
The model railway is the star of the HZERO museum
FLORENCE IS HOME TO ONE OF EUROPE'S LARGEST MODEL RAILWAYS, THE RESULT OF MORE THAN 40 YEARS OF METICULOUS CRAFTSMANSHIP
The heart of the HZERO Museum in Florence is its 280-square-meter model railway, crafted in more than forty years by a group of passionate model train enthusiasts.
This H0 scale model railway, one of the largest in Europe, was brought to life by the creative energy of Giuseppe Paternò Castello di San Giuliano. Giuseppe dedicated himself to the model railway with passion and commitment starting in the 1970s. It is an incredible imaginary miniature world where over 70 trains run simultaneously through meticulously reconstructed scenarios. These include architectural inspirations from Berlin, the mountainous landscapes of the Dolomites, the coastal views of Elba Island, and a grand station, reminiscent of Milan’s central railway station, all reproduced in a 1:87 scale.
Spanning 280 square meters, with 121 signals, 1,000 lampposts, 147 switches, 359 sections, and nearly 1 kilometer of tracks. HZERO is the largest model railway in Italy.
The model railway tells stories through motion
Among the most captivating elements of model railways, besides the landscapes, are undoubtedly the miniature figures. In HZERO’s model, thousands of little scenes transform it into a massive theater showcasing countless stories: a wedding taking place just steps away from a funeral, a cycling race as captivating as a group of nudists a little further ahead, a bakery fire drawing dozens of firefighters, and a roadblock for an unsuspecting, reckless motorcyclist. The HZERO model railway, balancing seriousness and playfulness, manages to awaken a sense of wonder and playfulness shared by both children and adults.
This creation, both playful and architectural, seamlessly combines craftsmanship and technology. It showcases predominantly Italian, Austrian, Swiss, and German trains, alongside some English and French models, all of which have played a significant role in railway history from the 1930s to today.
The trains travel along the model’s tracks using a control system very similar to the high-speed railway systems of today, monitored in real time by the museum staff from the control room.
1 KM OF TRACKS
121 SIGNALS
359 SECTIONS
An immersive experience thanks to animated projections and soundscapes
The visitor’s journey begins with the model railway but evolves into a fully immersive experience, brought to life through a poetic choreography of lights, sounds, and projections designed by Studio Karmachina in collaboration with curator Alberto Salvadori.
The projection system highlights details from the model railway, reinterpreting them with illustration and motion graphic techniques. These animations enhance the countless stories told by the model railway, transporting them through time and space while evoking the changing seasons and various times of the day. Complementing this is a lighting system created by light designer Angelo Linzalata, which depicts the passage of time through a series of atmospheric events—from thunderstorms to snowfall, from dawn to dusk.
The immersive setting of the HZERO museum is enhanced by the soundscape designed by Tempo Reale and created together with technical partner Mediacare. With over fifty speakers, the sound system delivers precise and engaging sequences of environmental sound effects, perfectly synchronized with the movement of the trains and Karmachina’s video projections.
"It was born from what can be described as a dimension of a dream—the dream of our father. The idea of preserving over 40 years of work and passion in a museum for the city of Florence deeply moved him. We, his children, are proud to bring continuity and fulfillment to this beautiful dream."
Where to see a model railway in Italy: all locations
Model railways are a passion that spans our entire country. From large-scale layouts to exhibitions with more compact selections, these places are perfect destinations for the whole family. Here’s where you can admire some of the most beautiful model railways:
- HZERO – the Florence museum that houses the largest model railway in Italy, is just steps away from the Santa Maria Novella station. Spanning 280 square meters, this diorama embodies the pinnacle of design and construction possibilities. A playful architectural masterpiece, it attracts enthusiasts from around the world and intrigues even those unfamiliar with this hobby.
- Mondotreno – Alto Adige in Miniature is one of Italy's largest digital model railway installations. Located in Rablà, near Merano in the province of Bolzano, it features 2,000 pieces, making it one of the most extensive private collections of model trains.
- The World of Miniature Trains – Fermodellisti Alto Vicentino is a museum in Veneto originating from the collection of Prefect Aligi Razzoli. It includes over a thousand models of various styles and sizes.