Maximilian Park Hamm

For a long time, the Maximilianpark was an overgrown industrial wasteland and is the first renatured colliery site in Germany. As one of the most popular amusement parks in the region, the Maximilianpark Hamm sets "animal accents" above all: with the largest glass elephant in the world and the most beautiful butterfly house in North Rhine-Westphalia. All of this has "grown" on the site of the former Maximilian colliery, which underwent extensive transformation for the 1984 State Garden Show. Former buildings of the plant included: The plans integrated the relics of the colliery into the landscape or into artistic features. A concept for success.

Abundant deposits of bituminous coal justified the sinking work at Maximilian in 1902. However, the founding of the colliery by the Eisenwerkgesellschaft Maximilianhütte AG from Sulzbach was ill-fated. Gas and water leaks, some of which had serious consequences, made shaft construction more difficult. It was not until 1907, at a depth of 634 meters, that the seam-bearing strata were reached. Sad climax of the troubles: In 1908 a huge gas eruption killed four miners. Systematic coal mining did not begin until 1912. A year later, more than 1.200 miners were working on Maximilian and mined a total of 100.000 tons of coal. In 1914, coke was produced on the colliery site for the first time. However, the economic success of the colliery did not last long: as early as 1914, water was penetrating the overburden and thus the mine at enormous pressure. After only two years of operation, the colliery was abandoned.

The industrial wasteland remained largely undisturbed for more than half a century and developed into a retreat for many endangered plant and animal species. The systematic renaturation of the site began in 1981 in preparation for the State Horticultural Show three years later. Industrial nature and mining history were incorporated into the conversion. The most visible creative achievement was the transformation of the former coal washery into a walk-in sculpture, more precisely: a glass elephant. The electrical center, the old washroom and workshop hall were also used further and integrated into the park landscape.

A diverse cultural and entertainment program for adults and children is now a trademark of the Maximilianpark, which visitors can explore over a network of paths more than six kilometers long. And the symbol of the park - that of Dr. Horst Rellecke designed glass elephant - guarantees a unique panoramic view of the park, city and surrounding area: the walkable, illuminated work of art is 35 meters high; at 29 meters there is a viewing platform. With exhibitions, designed theme gardens, children's area with themed playgrounds and art in public space, the "Maxipark" inspires guests from all over the region every year.