Bergbautour

The Coal Mining Tour in the Lower Lusatia

Gigantic open-cast lignite mining machinery, the Lake Senftenberger as one of the continent's largest artificial lakes, Earth Pyramids in Prince Pückler's Park Branitz, Europe's top-of-the-range test and race track EuroSpeedway Lausitz - all those are amongst the sights which can be experienced participating in a more than 500 kilometres long cycling tour leading through an area characterised by open-cast mining in the Lower Lusatia. As "Rekord" is the brand of the region's briquettes, the symbol of the tour will be the "Rekord Devil". The cycling tour can be started or finished at 18 train stations.
In very few other regions in Germany the devil is part of so many fables and tales as it is in the Lower Lusatia. The devil, called "Tscherenbog" in the Wendish language, will be blamed for every misfortune, misshape or tragedy. Miners say with a wink: "The Lord created the Lausitz, and the devil hid the coal - but we found it…"

…and mined it well and truly! Wherever you may cycle to in the Niederlausitz, the evidence of intensive open-cast lignite mining will catch your eyes. Next to active areas of mining with gigantic excavation machinery are derelict mines, partly cultivated and redesigned as recreation areas. One of the best examples for recultivation of mined land is Senftenberger See lake, which is amongst the largest artificial lakes in Europe. A few kilometres away Ilse See lake is being created contributing to the vision of a network of lakes forming the "Lausitzer Seenkette". The future recreation area is one of the prestige projects of the International Building Exhibition "Fürst - Pückler - Land (IBA).

Approximately 5000 square kilometres of landscape will be re-modelled in the next ten years making the Niederlausitz to the largest landscape building site in Europe. Cyclists can experience the formation of a complete new landscape based on the re-use and re-design of remains of a contradictory industrial history. In spring 2003, the lignite mining museum in Knappenrode was added to the tour. Both this cycling tour as well as the "Boundless - Tour" cross boundaries. Crossing the border between the states Brandenburg and Saxony, the tour will incorporate the Lausitzer Bergbaumuseum as a unique industrial monument of lignite mining. Its collections are unique in Europe documenting the complete range of historical technologies and equipment for making briquettes. The visitor will be led through the 25 hectare museum both under and above ground. More than 60 mines were once situated in the area "Muskauer Faltenbogen", a geological peculiarity. Although the mines do not exist any more, their remains can still be found in some places.
The small idyllic town Lübbenau in the river district Spreewald was called "Venice in a pocket" by Theodor Fontane and is part of the programme. So is the German - Wendish double church with a tower dating from the 12th / 13th century in the village Vetschau. Undoubtedly, the EuroSpeedway Lausitz as one of the most modern test and race tracks is an attraction too. Admire the world's biggest technical construction, the mining engine type F60! Explore the countryside from up to 80 metres height when taking part in a guided tour and climbing between sky and earth along the "Grounded Eifel Tower". The cyclists then pass through the town of Lauchhammer, where - additional to lignite and heavy mechanical engineering - the art of metal casting plays a role in the town's history of industry. Senftenberg is the last stop on the route, where an interesting Renaissance-style castle can be admired.

Tour operators:

• Tourismus GmbH - Land und Leute
  Dr.-Wilhelm-Külz-Str. 1
  02977 Hoyerswerda
  Fon + 49 (0)3571 408031
  Fax + 49 (0)3571 408031
  radwandern@lausitz-tourismus.de
  www.lausitz-tourismus.de

• Radreisepartner Spreewald & Lausitz
  Pro gastra gmbH
  Sielower Chaussee 9
  03055 Cottbus
  Fon +49 (0)355 8790100
  Fax +49 (0)355 87901011
  pro-gastra@t-online.de
  www.radreisepartner-spreewald-lausitz.de

Should you desire anything faster than the bicycle, you could try a Jeep, aircraft or boat. Do not hesitate to ask us, we will be pleased to present you with interesting offers fitted to your needs.