LEGO Icons are the sets for adults; the models that are really satisfying to sit down and build, the ones that result in something that will make friends and family say ‘wow’. Blocks, the monthly LEGO magazine, is taking a look at the biggest LEGO Icons sets for adults.
Most fans probably still think of LEGO Icons as Creator Expert. When the theme had a rebrand for the adult fanbase in 2021, Icons took over. It may come in sleek black boxes, but the aim of the theme is just the same as ever – making incredible display pieces using the brick. 10307 Eiffel Tower was recently released in the theme and is the tallest set so far… and may also hold another record.
7. 10305 Lion Knights’ Castle (4,514 pieces)
It’s ironic that the smallest set on this list is certainly the biggest that LEGO Castle has ever gone. 10305 Lion Knights’ Castle is a homage to the beloved classic theme, and a celebration of the LEGO Group’s 90th anniversary, this set is a medieval smorgasbord. There’s the eponymous Lion Knights alongside the visiting Black Falcons, and Majisto has only changed a bit since the 1990s. This set perfectly balances being an incredible display model alongside details for role play, from the dungeons complete with skeleton to a young character building a teeny yellow replica of 375 Castle.
6. 10284 Camp Nou – FC Barcelona (5,509 pieces)
A new niche that LEGO Icons has introduced are football stadiums. Catering for both fans of LEGO and football, the line focusses on some of the most famous clubs and their stadiums. 10284 Camp Nou – FC Barcelona ‘actually has some really clever detailing, especially the mixture of 8×16 and 6×6 printed tiles that represent the mowed grass lines of the pitch. Inside is also the team motto ‘Mes que un Club’ (‘More than a club’ in Spanish), and the scoreboard 5-0 references their win over Real Madrid in 2010. It’s one of the most colourful sets on this list too, making for a striking centrepiece in a display.
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5. 10299 Real Madrid – Santiago Bernabéu Stadium (5,876 pieces)
Coming in with a set slightly bigger than their Barcelona rivals, the relase of 10299 Real Madrid – Santiago Bernabéu Stadium coincided with the club’s 120th anniversary. Yes, football has existed that long. In fact while the modern version of the sport was invented around 1863, similar games can be traced back to the Han dynasty in China. Everything about this model is about fan service, with its accuracy and how it’s plastered in Real Madrid branding. Interestingly, the model is a snapshot in time because the stadium is currently going through an €800 million renovation and will look completely different once finished.
4. 10189 / 10256 Taj Mahal (5,923 pieces)
10256 Taj Mahal was met with a mixed reaction by fans for being a straight up re-release of the same model from 2008. It had one added piece – a brick separator. However, the original model was so good it hardly needed an update. A plethora of white bricks and plates recreate the iconic onion dome of the mausoleum, while some light tan and blue elements suggest the different marbles and precious stones in the walls. Surrounding the base are dozens of turntable pieces to replicate the intricate tiling patterns of the original building.
3. 10276 Colosseum (9,036 pieces)
History is always complicated, and while the Colosseum in Ancient Rome was known for its brutal spectator sports and fights, the landmark is now a major tourist attraction. How do you make a circle interesting though? Well, the LEGO designers managed in 10276 Colosseum it by breaking the build into sections filled with architectural details, including columns, porticos, and the remains of the seating around the edges. A fun extra touch is that the individual boxes inside are numbered using Roman numerals for added authenticity.
2. 10294 Titanic (9,090 pieces)
Another model where history meets LEGO, 10294 Titanic is a 1:32 replica of the infamous ocean-liner. Included in the instructions are facts about the build that help to tell the story of the doomed ship, keeping the build educational as well as interesting. With the model being able to split in two, it’s possible to see a cross-section inside of the different decks and engine rooms, and the attention to detail is astounding. Even the flags on the masts are accurate, including the 46 stars on the American flag, as it was in 1912.
1. 10307 Eiffel Tower (10,001 pieces)
Just when fans think that LEGO sets can’t get any bigger, they’re proven wrong. At a whopping 10,001 pieces, 10307 Eiffel Tower isn’t just the biggest Icons set, it’s also currently the second biggest LEGO set of all time. How long it will hold that title is anyone’s guess. This model is a feat of brick engineering almost as impressive as the actual Eiffel Tower. A mixture of plates and bar pieces create a sturdy model that’s over four feet tall. Its size may be eye catching, but take a closer look and you’ll see the LEGO sausage elements used for making the railings.