Discover Welzow: Open-Pit Mining and a Changing Landscape

Welzow invites you to explore mining and landscape change from a variety of perspectives. In the town centre, the “excursio” visitor centre is housed in the former railway station. It provides information about tours covering topics from the changing landscape to the Lusatian Lake District, as well as other activities and events in and around the town. The range extends from observing how the landscape is developing to experiences focused on mining.

Experience the open-cast mine and post-mining landscape

Experience tours regularly set off into the active Welzow-Süd open-cast mine and the post-mining landscape. These offer two different perspectives on the region’s transformation: the mine that is still in operation on the one hand, and the landscape shaped by mining afterwards on the other. If you would like to include a tour in your plans, check the specific dates in advance.

Several viewpoints near the Welzow-Süd open-cast mine, along its edge, offer views of the mine and the recultivated landscape. From the “Süd” viewpoint, you can see the coal seam, the F60 conveyor bridge and other overburden excavators at work. Viewpoints and experience tours offer different ways to explore the area: one focuses on views of the landscape, while the other offers an experience in the active mine or the post-mining landscape.

Get involved, play and discover history

The open-cast mine-themed playground also explores mining and nature. It offers children of all ages a wide range of ways to play, including creative climbing structures and multimedia activities. Children can also learn more about the town’s history and the open-cast mine. Physical activity and playful discovery go hand in hand with the themes that shape Welzow’s landscape.

The Welzow Archaeotechnical Centre is an interactive museum with extensive outdoor grounds and an exhibition on the theme “People – Wood – Archaeology”. Its annual programme includes events and workshops for the general public; registration is required. The museum and its programme offer different ways to explore archaeology: the exhibition focuses on a particular theme, while events and workshops invite visitors to take part. When planning to attend, remember that registration is required.

The Welzow Fire Brigade Park offers another focus on cultural history. It houses one of Germany’s largest collections on the history of fire brigades. On display are historic fire engines, equipment, uniforms and a fire-fighting tank. The park is open seasonally and only on weekends; check current opening dates before your visit.

Spree-Neiße as a wider travel destination

Those wishing to look beyond Welzow to the wider Spree-Neiße travel destination will find other distinct themes. The Spree Cycle Route crosses the Spree-Neiße region for around 60 kilometres and runs mostly along paved river dykes. The Spreewald is known for its distinctive inland delta landscape and its status as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Local culinary specialities include pickled gherkins in sour, spiced or mustard varieties, linseed oil with quark, yeast pancakes and Spreewald fish.

The East German Rose Garden in Forst (Lausitz) offers a different regional experience: this 17-hectare park invites visitors to admire tens of thousands of roses in almost 1,000 varieties. The themes across Spree-Neiße vary considerably, from the cycle route and the Spreewald landscape to the park and its roses.

When looking for accommodation, you can first decide on the scope of your trip: would you like to focus on Welzow’s mining, landscape and cultural themes, or include Spree-Neiße as a wider travel destination?

Discover more destinations: Felixsee, Jänschwalde, Guben, Kolkwitz, Turnow-Preilack, Schenkendöbern, Groß Schacksdorf-Simmersdorf, Teichland.

View the wider travel overview: Spree-Neiße.