Saar Polygon
Saarland
The Saar Polygon is a monumental steel sculpture located on the spoil tip of the former Bergwerk Saar coal mine in Ensdorf, Saarland. Standing approximately 30 meters high, it serves as a symbolic gateway into the future while commemorating the centuries-long coal mining tradition that shaped the region's identity. Designed by Berlin architects Katja Pfeiffer and Oliver Sachse, the structure's unique form changes depending on the viewing angle, resembling shapes such as a rectangular arch, triangle, inverted triangle, and hourglass, echoing mining support structures. The monument features a walkable platform supported by two slanting towers, accessible via 132 steps, offering panoramic views over the Saar Valley, including sights into neighboring France and Luxembourg. Completed in 2016, the Saar Polygon was funded by the Bergbauerbe Saar Association, RAG AG, the Saarland government, and donations. It stands as a powerful testament to the inseparable past and future of coal, steel, and energy in Saarland, honoring the miners' essential contribution to the region's development.
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Tip: Visitors are advised to explore the Saar Polygon during daylight for expansive views of the Saar Valley and neighboring countries. The monument is open from 8 am to 9 pm, and audio guides in German, English, and French are available to enrich the visit. Purchasing tickets or reserving in advance is recommended during peak seasons or special events. Donors historically could symbolically buy steps inside the monument, a testament to community involvement. Comfortable footwear is suggested due to the climb of 132 steps to the viewing platform.
Interesting facts
- •The Saar Polygon won the 1st Prize in the International Ideas Competition in May 2011.
- •It received the Association of German Architects Award for Architecture and Urbanism in Saarland in 2017.
- •The monument also earned the Industrieverband Feuerverzinken Prize for Architecture and Metal Design in 2017.
- •The viewing platform weighs approximately 60 tons and spans about 35 meters in length.
- •The Saar Polygon's form changes visually depending on the viewing angle, symbolizing transformation and mining motifs.
- •The monument is visible from all directions due to its elevated location on a spoil tip rising 150 meters above the Saar Valley.
- •In 2016, the Saar Polygon was a filming location for the German TV crime series 'Tatort' episode 'Mord ex Machina'.
- •In 2022, the Saar Polygon was featured in the mathematics Abitur exam's geometry section in several German states.
History
Coal mining in Saarland spanned several centuries and was once the largest employer in the region.
The last coal mine, Bergwerk Saar, closed in June 2012, marking the end of mining in the area.
In response, the Bergbauerbe Saar Association was founded to preserve the mining heritage.
A design competition in 2011 attracted 147 submissions, with the winning design by Katja Pfeiffer and Oliver Sachse symbolizing change and continuity.
Construction began in late 2015, with the Saar Polygon inaugurated in September 2016 as a landmark celebrating the region's industrial culture and miners' legacy.
Place Guide
Viewing Platform2016
A spacious platform approximately 35 meters long supported by two slanting towers, offering panoramic views of the Saar Valley, France, and Luxembourg. Accessible via 132 steps, it weighs around 60 tons and symbolizes a gateway to the future.
Steel Grid Structure2016
The polygonal steel lattice construction forms different shapes depending on the angle of view, including a rectangular arch, triangle, inverted triangle, and hourglass. This design reflects mining support structures and the region's industrial heritage.
Contact
Phone: 06831 7693710
