The most iconic building projects in Minecraft history: Guinness records, millions of blocks, years of work.
Players have been building bigger and more ambitious projects since 2009, all the way up to the entire planet Earth at 1:1 scale. Below are twenty builds that defined what the game can do.
Each of these projects changed something in the Minecraft community. Build the Earth set a Guinness World Record. WesterosCraft got official recognition from Mojang. The Uncensored Library became a tool in the fight for press freedom. And FyreUK invented an entirely new kind of content: the build timelapse.
Scale: 1:1 Earth, 879M m²
The entire planet Earth recreated at 1:1 scale in Minecraft. More than 8,000 builders from around the world worked on it. A Guinness World Record for the biggest project in Minecraft history. Every building, every road, every tree, block by block.
Scale: 22K x 59K blocks, 35 GB
The entire continent of Westeros from Game of Thrones, recreated in Minecraft. 14 years of continuous work, more than 100 active builders and official recognition from Mojang Studios. Every castle, every village and every inn from Martin's saga.
Scale: 38 km², 8,000+ buildings
The largest fictional city in Minecraft. 38 square kilometers and more than 8,000 buildings with full interiors. A Guinness World Record. Every building has its own architecture, from family houses to skyscrapers.
Scale: 29K x 30K blocks
Middle-earth from The Lord of the Rings, built over 15 years. The longest-running building project in Minecraft history. Minas Tirith, Rivendell, Isengard, Rohan: all the key locations from Tolkien's books and films.
Scale: 12.5 million blocks
A library of press freedom built in Minecraft by Reporters Without Borders. 12.5 million blocks, available as a downloadable map. It holds censored articles from countries where press freedom does not exist. One of the most important projects in Minecraft history.
Scale: 1 TB download
All of Denmark recreated in Minecraft at 1:1 scale from the Danish government's surveying data. The first complete country in Minecraft. The map weighs 1 TB. A government project that was used for education in schools.
Scale: 4.5 km², 750+ buildings
One of the longest solo projects in Minecraft history: 15 years of building by one person. 750+ buildings with full interiors, a subway, a port and an airport. It shows what you can achieve with patience.
Scale: A huge fantasy kingdom
A fantasy kingdom that Jeracraft has been building for more than 12 years. Every structure has its own history, characters and lore. The build timelapses are among the most-watched on YouTube.
Scale: 2.6 million blocks, survival
The Great Pyramid of Giza recreated at 1:1 scale in survival mode. 2.6 million blocks placed by hand, without creative mode. A Guinness World Record.
Scale: 60 million blocks in 3 months
A colossal fantasy city built solo in 3 months. 60 million blocks. The pace of the build impresses even experienced builders. The secret: WorldEdit, Axiom and an incredible vision.
Scale: A universe to scale
The entire universe recreated in Minecraft with its proportions preserved. Planets, galaxies, nebulae, all made of blocks. Displayed at the Smithsonian Institution. Built by an 18-year-old.
Scale: 700+ houses, 6 months
Novigrad from The Witcher 3, recreated in Minecraft. 700+ buildings with interiors, 18 builders, 6 months of work and 18,000 hours in total. The Witcher, rebuilt in Minecraft.
Scale: 1:1, 400+ rooms
Hogwarts is probably the most frequently recreated single structure in Minecraft history. There are hundreds of versions on Planet Minecraft, from small ones to full 1:1 builds with 400+ rooms, dungeons and a Quidditch pitch.
Scale: 1,024-block radius
Considered the most architecturally advanced build in Minecraft. Every building has its own details, proportions and style. A radius of 1,024 blocks full of architectural masterpieces.
Scale: London in 1666
London in 1666, recreated on commission for the Museum of London. It shows the city before and during the Great Fire. One of the first Minecraft projects commissioned by a museum.
Scale: Seven-level city
The White City from The Lord of the Rings, with seven levels rising up a mountainside. Built by many teams, and the most recognizable fantasy build in Minecraft.
Scale: 800+ buildings
A city of 800+ buildings, every single one with a full interior. Updated many times by the community. A model for anyone building cities in Minecraft.
Scale: 4.5 million blocks
One of the most downloaded cities on Planet Minecraft. 4.5 million blocks. A modern metropolis with skyscrapers, parks and infrastructure.
Scale: Fantasy landscape
A fantasy landscape with a flying whale, a stone golem, airships and castles in the clouds. One of the most creative projects, where every element tells a story.
Scale: Many builds
FyreUK did not build one mega build. They invented a whole genre of content. Their build timelapses defined how the Minecraft community shows off its builds, and inspired thousands of builders.