What did medieval Europeans think the rest of the world looked like? One travel book had all the answers - but it was *slightly* inaccurate

A LEGO fan has created a Medieval-themed MOC (My Own Creation) inspired by Sir John Mandeville's "Book of Marvels and Travels," a 14th-century travelogue filled with fantastical creatures and places. The MOC recreates several of the book's imaginative illustrations, bringing to life the surreal world described by Mandeville.

The MOC includes a variety of whimsical builds, such as a "wonky medieval lion," a blemmye (a headless person with a face on their chest), the King of the Cynocephali (a dog-headed person), a phoenix, and the Vegetable Lamb of Tartary (a plant that supposedly grew living sheep). The creator also included a small vignette of "Mandeville" himself recounting his exaggerated travels to a bewildered audience. The original book, though widely read, was a compilation of other travel accounts and classical texts, with the author, "John Mandeville," likely being a fictional character.

Despite its inaccuracies, Mandeville's book was incredibly popular during the Middle Ages, even influencing travelers during the Age of Exploration. The MOC captures the essence of the book's imaginative illustrations, offering a fun and creative interpretation of the medieval world's understanding of the unknown.

If you're inspired by this MOC and want to create your own medieval builds, you might find a LEGO Classic box helpful for storing your bricks.