Artist Patrick Acton Recreates Harry Potter’s Hogwarts School From Thousands of Matchsticks

<a href="http://www.matchstickmarvels.com/matchstickmain.html" target="_blank">Patrick Acton</a> has used thousands of matchsticks to create an epic rendition of Harry Potter's <a href="http://inhabitat.com/harry-potter-author-jk-rowling-to-construct-two-blue-forest-designed-treehouses-in-edinburgh/" target="_blank">Hogwarts School of Wizardry</a>! The Iowa-based artist has been crafting meticulous matchstick replicas for the greater part of 35 years, transforming the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/artist-daniel-agdad-creates-incredible-miniature-worlds-entirely-from-cardboard/" target="_blank">tiny sticks into architectural wonders</a> both realistic and fantastical.

By now, Acton has turned millions of matchsticks into detailed oversized models. What once started as a hobby has become a full blown focus, inspiring the artist to recreate a bevy of historical landmarks, as well as some cinematic icons.

A sci-fi fan, Acton has painstakingly created not only Harry Potter’s alma mater, but also the epic island of Minas Tirith from Lord of the Rings. Made from 420,000 <a href="http://inhabitat.com/kyle-beans-amazing-stick-insects-are-entirely-made-of-matchsticks/" target="_blank">wooden matchsticks</a>, the carved out mountainous island depicts the set from Lord of the Rings 3: The Return of the King.

Acton also takes on famous historic architecture around the world. His rendition of the Notre Dame in Paris is complete with signature matchstick flying buttresses and steeple.

The United States Capitol Building is also represented, using 500,000 <a href="http://inhabitat.com/love-sign-made-of-matches-and-reclaimed-wood-sets-hearts-afire/" target="_blank">matchsticks</a> to create the complex and world famous dome.

Aside from architecture, the artist has honed his skills to replicate the space shuttle, The Challenger, which rises over five feet tall. The USS Iowa battleship comes complete with matchstick rudders, mast and on-deck planes.

Acton’s next challenge will be to recreate the new <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/one-world-trade-center-is-now-the-most-expensive-new-office-tower-in-the-world/" target="_blank">World Trade Center</a> in New York, which he plans to complete in 2013. Let’s just hope that the real tower is finished before Acton’s is!