Ehemaliger Braunkohlentagebau, bzw. ehemalige Deponie Maria-Theresia

The former opencast brown coal mine and landfill at Maria-Theresia in Herzogenrath is part of the historical Aachen lignite district, now progressively rewilded and designated a nature reserve. The reclaimed landscape — open meadows edged by woodland, shaped by decades of excavation and backfill — illustrates how post-industrial terrain can develop into biodiverse habitat over time. The site is closely associated with the Indemann, a large walkable steel sculpture nearby accessible free of charge by stairs or elevator, offering families activities including climbing, mini golf, electric vehicles, and football golf. Footpaths cross the grounds for walkers and cyclists, and the adjacency to a well-kept cemetery gives the area a quiet, unhurried character.