From Hogwarts to Rome: Minecraft's biggest and most elaborate creations celebrated as the world's best-selling video game marks 15 years

Minecraft has captivated a generation with its incredible sandbox universe, enabling players to create and explore magical lands as well as extraordinary replicas of real world locations.

Originally unleashed upon the world in May 2009 by Mojang Studios, the game has sold more than 300million copies across multiple platforms and console generations, making it the best-selling video game of all time.

From its humble origins as the brainchild of the visionary Markus 'Notch' Persson to its acquisition by Microsoft for a jaw-dropping $2.5billion, Minecraft has evolved into a cultural behemoth, spawning a thriving ecosystem of merchandise and content creation for players to enjoy around the world.

Its simple block-based structure, like a virtual LEGO kit, and a creative mode that allows players to fly around placing whatever blocks they want wherever they want, set it apart from other games and made it accessible for all ages. 

Because of this - and an array of community-created Minecraft mods adding texture upgrades, lighting improvements, and even totally new blocks - players have been able to create some truly astounding things in Minecraft.

MailOnline takes a look at some of the most jaw-dropping and memorable creations ever made by Minecraft's dedicated fanbase.

Minecraft Middle-Earth

With locations like Minas Tirith, Isengard, and The Shire, players can roam around an in-game area the same size as Dallas, Texas

This Minecraft build began back in 2010 and is Minecraft's longest-running build server with good reason. 

The ambitious project seeks to meticulously recreate JRR Tolkien's iconic world in Minecraft. With locations like Minas Tirith, Isengard, and The Shire, players can roam around an in-game area the same size as Dallas, Texas.

The team behind this massive project has a YouTube channel where you can see how they created some of these amazing structures, as well as take tours of the locations without even stepping into the game.

Harry Potter roleplay

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, with its Great Hall, spirally towers, and rolling grounds, lends itself perfectly to a Minecraft recreation

If Lord of the Rings isn't your thing, what about Harry Potter? Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, with its Great Hall, spirally towers, and rolling grounds, lends itself perfectly to a Minecraft recreation. 

Finally ready in 2020, this world has been wowing fans everywhere ever since.

Complete with quests and puzzles, you can live out your wizarding dreams with a full RPG storyline and complete narrative. 

Its servers can only host so many people at a time though, so you may need to wait in line!

The Uncensored Library

The Uncensored Library was created by Reporters with Borders and BlockWorks in 2020 to be a repository of information even in countries with harsh press restrictions and strict censorship

Minecraft isn't just about recreating your childhood though. It can be used as a tool for education and empowerment. 

The Uncensored Library was created by Reporters with Borders and BlockWorks in 2020 to be a repository of information even in countries with harsh press restrictions and strict censorship.

Banned and censored texts are put into Minecraft books and placed within this massive library for anyone to pick up and read. 

While accessed on a Minecraft server, the library can be downloaded locally, allowing people to read and learn in a way that would otherwise be impossible.

Since its inception, more countries have been added to the library, with restricted texts from Iran and Russia added in 2023.

Ancient Rome

Started in 2012, this server is an amazing way to explore the city and see locations that were old even in the 400s

Not everything built in Minecraft is based on fiction though. 

Two friends have painstakingly built a replica of Rome as it may have looked in the fifth century AD during the reign of Valentinian III. 

Started in 2012, this server is an amazing way to explore the city and see locations that were old even in the 400s.

Transport yourself back in time to wander the Colosseum, Capitoline Hill, and the Circus Maximus. 

This server got its last update in 2017 and represents another outstanding use of Minecraft for education, allowing players to explore the dark backstreets and glorious basilicas of ancient Rome.

As Minecraft celebrates its 15th anniversary, these remarkable creations stand as a testament to the boundless creativity and ingenuity of its global community. 

From fantasy realms to historical epics, Minecraft continues to inspire and captivate, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of modern gaming.