The site has been uncovered by volunteers who were amazed by the sheer number of replica structures hidden within a small woodland.
A hidden treasure surrounded by lush greenery has revealed even more of its secrets as volunteers discover hundreds of intricate Mediterranean-style designs.
Volunteers working at the site, known as the "Little Italy" of southern Eryri, were astonished by the abundance of replica buildings scattered throughout the forest.
"Every time I pulled back more ivy, I thought: 'Wow, there’s another one,'" said Jonathan Fell, the enthusiastic curator of the site.
So far, around 200 "objects" have been uncovered, including buildings, statues, plaques, and various oddities. Before restoration efforts began a few years ago, only about 30 structures were visible.
The site features replicas of famous Italian landmarks, such as the Duomo of Florence and the Rialto Bridge in Venice.
Among the more surprising discoveries are a miniature English village, a cat cemetery, and what appears to be a Venetian canal, which might have once carried running water.
Each new find deepens Jonathan's admiration for the original creators, Mark Bourne and his wife Muriel.
He sees their dedication to recreating Italian architecture on the outskirts of Corris, between Dolgellau and Machynlleth, as a remarkable display of passion, persistence, and imagination.
Jonathan rejects the term "model village" for the site and doesn’t appreciate comparisons to Portmeirion, the famous Italianate village in Porthmadog.
"I absolutely adore this place," Jonathan said. "It’s not just folk art—it’s far more significant. This is one of the most important sites in Wales, much more so than Portmeirion, which had so much money poured into it."
Another surprising discovery was a traditional English hamlet hidden under layers of ferns and ivy.
Months later, the team realised that the church and thatched timber cottages perfectly matched the scene depicted on red Stafford teacups, which had been placed on a concrete shelf elsewhere in the garden.
Remember - LeaveNoTrace!
As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
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