Tours into the Landscape of Opencast Mines

Time Line

2001:
Karsten Feucht and Rainer Düvell developed the concept of Opencast Mine Exploration for the Senses.
2002:
Beginning of the guided tours “Canyons, Steppes and Steel Giants” under the direction of IBA
2003:
Common integrated courses for tour guides with the employees of the IBA projects: Visitors’ Mine F60, Raddusch Slavic Fort, Plessa Power Plant, Pritzen Art Landscape, and the IBA Centre in Großräschen-Süd
2004:
Scientific investigation into the Opencast Mine Explorations for the Senses
2005:
The theatre play “All lost – All gained?” in the opencast mine (director: Jürg Montalta); former inhabitants of the excavated section of Bückgen present their experiences
2006:
Last guided tours “Canyons, Steppes and Steel Giants” in October, more than 100 visitors for each tour
2007:
Beginning of the flooding of the “Großräschen lake”; Start of the walking tour „Journey to Mars” in the area of the open cast mine, wich is not flooded yet; demand for offroad vehicle/jeep tours is growing; first guided tours in Welzow with the approach: guiding perception; focussing on the complexity and contradictions of energy production; providing space for expansion of the concept: direct observation in a “live” coal mine
2008:
“Journey to Mars” became most booked tour of IBA-Tourism; IBA-Terraces establish themselves permanently as the tourist destination for the landscape change; Courses for tour guides; guided tours; the Day of Tourism in Welzow in cooperation with the Mining Tourism Association
2009:
“Journey to Mars” remains top seller within the IBA-Tours; furthermore Concept and construction in Welzow of a centre especially dedicated to tourism, courses, the opencast mine region
2010
“Jorney to Mars” reached 10.000 guests since the first tour; Inauguration of the visitor centre “excursio”; beginning of the school year for tour guides and scouts; continuation of the concept Opencast Mine Exploration for the Senses and tourism courses offered by excursio in Welzow.

Tours into the Landscape of Opencast Mines

The Opencast Mine Explorations for the Senses were regularly conducted for five years and the public was very responsive. Often more than 100 visitors participated in a single hike, and this, in turn, had many effects on the IBA process. read more

Tours into the Lake Land

Under the slogan “From desert to water,” the emerging Lusatian Lake Land can be best explored by bicycle, raft or mini van. read more

Tours to Industrial Sites

“Touring the ENERGY Route” – production sites that once were off-limits for visitors are today regarded as tourist attractions. read more

Tours to the Border Landscapes

Bus tours to the German-Polish border landscapes took visitors “From Pückler’s Park to the Geo Park.” read more

Tours of Cultural Landscapes

“About old and new cultural sites” – a bus tour through cultural landscapes affected by mining. read more