Long before satellite imagery and digital maps became common, a Danish farmer carved out one of the world’s most unusual geographical attractions entirely by hand inside a lake. Inspired by a stone near Klejtrup Lake that resembled Denmark’s Jutland Peninsula, farmer Soren Poulsen spent roughly 25 years transforming the waterbody into a giant miniature world map using rocks, soil, grass, and clay. At the World Map at Klejtrup Lake in Denmark, visitors can walk around scaled-down continents separated by water representing the oceans. Today, the handmade landmark remains one of Denmark’s most fascinating hidden attractions and continues to draw thousands of visitors every year.
How one rock inspired an entire world map
The story began in 1943 when Poulsen found a stone near Lake Klejtrup that looked strikingly similar to the shape of Jutland, the large peninsula forming mainland Denmark. The discovery inspired him to attempt something extraordinary: recreating the entire world map inside the nearby lake.Construction officially began in 1944. Using stones, earth, clay, and vegetation, Poulsen slowly built miniature continents that rose above the lake’s surface like islands. The project continued until 1969, making it a decades-long labour of dedication.
Built with giant stones dragged across winter ice
Historical accounts of the attraction state that some stones used during construction weighed more than two tons. During harsh Danish winters, Poulsen reportedly dragged many of these massive rocks across the frozen lake to position the continents more accurately.The completed map measures roughly 45 by 90 metres and follows a carefully calculated geographical scale of approximately 27 centimetres per degree of latitude. Antarctica was intentionally omitted, while some Northern Hemisphere proportions were adjusted to make the flat representation visually balanced.
A walkable miniature Earth
Unlike a traditional map on paper, the attraction allows visitors to physically walk around the continents using paths, bridges, and small viewing areas. Flags and markers identify different countries, while aerial photographs reveal how closely the grassy landmasses resemble a miniature version of Earth.Over the years, additional decorative details were added to the site, including border markings and landscaped features believed to have been inspired by Poulsen’s time working in the United States before returning to Denmark.
Danish attraction still drawing visitors today
Today, the world map remains a family-run tourist attraction and educational site in Denmark. Reports suggest the landmark attracts around 40,000 visitors annually, especially during summer months when tourists can fully explore the outdoor installation.What began as one farmer’s fascination with a strangely shaped rock ultimately became a giant handmade atlas floating inside a lake, a project that still surprises visitors more than half a century later.