Peering up at this colossal Schaufelradbagger, one can almost hear the echoes of its industrial past. The Schaufelradbagger stands as a lasting reminder of the region’s mining history.
For decades, mining significantly shaped the Leipzig area. However, the rise of the Leipziger Seen and their use for tourism are gradually overshadowing this industrial era. The Bergbau Technik Park preserves the memory with an authentic look into the region’s industrial history. It connects the past, present, and future of the area in a unique and lasting way.
This 1300-ton Schaufelradbagger once extracted both lignite and overburden. Each of the 20 buckets on its wheel could carry 850 liters. Imagine the sheer volume of earth moved by this machine.
The Bergbau Technik Park displays the entire mining cycle. This includes the reclamation of cultivated landscapes. It includes the demolition of entire villages. Preparation of the surface area and groundwater lowering are also key steps. Then, the extraction of lignite and its transportation to spoil tips occurs. Subsequent remediation and restoration of the areas completes the cycle.
Until the mid-1990s, this Schaufelradbagger and other large-scale equipment mined lignite and overburden. The Schaufelradbagger operated in the former Espenhain open-cast mine. Close by is the “Absetzer 1115.” This machine weighs 2,400 tons. It transported the lignite to locomotives. These trains then delivered the fuel to the power plant. The Absetzer also moved overburden away from the extraction site. It helped refill the rest of the open-cast mine.
Visitors can explore the Bergbau Technik Park on their own or with a guided tour. Over 20 information panels explain the mining process. Texts, images, and graphics make it interesting and educational for both children and adults.
The Bergbau Technik Park also displays diverse machine technology. Tools and clothing are exhibited. Information about energy production and consumption in open-cast mining is available. A poignant section addresses the demolition of 20 villages. These towns had to make way for lignite mining. A gallery of images commemorates these lost villages.
The Bergbau Technik Park is located between Markleeberger See and Störmthaler See. It is easily accessible by the Leipziger Seen cycling network. There are numerous bicycle stands at the park entrance. There is also a charging station for e-bikes.
The park is open from mid-March to mid-November. Detailed opening times can be found on the park’s website. The “Zum Bagger 1547” snack bar offers regional and seasonal dishes. It is located near the Bergbau Technik Park entrance.