Saarpolygon — Attraction in Ensdorf/Saar

Came here today on a cool, cloudy August (2022) Friday afternoon with my three kids (ages 6, 4, and 2 years) and a friend and her 6 year old. I set "Parkplatz zum Saar Polgyon" as my Google Maps GPS destination and was brought directly to the parking lot, though it felt like that lot was really meant more for the Kletterhalle Ensdorf than for hikers. Anyway, I had noticed a few spots on the side of the road directly next to the path entrance for the Polygen on my way in, so I went back to that and parked there (49.3147999, 6.7866563). There was enough space for 5-10 cars there, if placed well, and it almost directly across the street from the main entrance, though that road IS very busy and we had to watch our small kids carefully. We crossed the road and set up on the path, which is gravel, zig-zagged (so entirely uphill but never very steep) with little shade, and a bench every so often, as well as one set of picnic benches along the way. We passed many groups of people who were on their way down, but when we got to the top, we were the only ones there at the time (likely due to the weather). It took us almost an hour to get to the top walking at my 4yo's pace (she walked almost the entire thing, with me putting her on my shoulders for the last 5 minutes). I wore the 2yo (there was no way she could do the whole thing). I think a stroller would be fine if it does well in gravel and you don't mind pushing it uphill for an extended period of time.

The top of the mountain is a humongous flat gravel area with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and towns, with several areas of picnic benches, regular benches, and lounge chairs, and upscale port-a-potties and food trailer with a weirdly placed patch of dead grass towards one side. Honestly, it's really a kind of ugly setting, but so different and unique that it's enjoyable. Right at the center of all of this barrenness is the polygon - a massive, impressive structure that looks awesome from every angle. You can enter on either side, going up about 4-5 levels of stairs (safe with sturdy steps and railings and little potential for a small child to fall through, and large landings so if they did fall they wouldn't tumble down the whole way to the bottom). At the top, there is a long stretch of benches and photos of the view with landmarks pointed out. We spent about 20-30 minutes there having a snack, with only two other groups of people coming through in that time. The wind up there was INSANE - it was blowing over our (full) backpacks, tupperware containers with food in it, not to mention our hats. But it felt nice and was almost cold on this otherwise hot day, and when we got back down to the bottom, the breeze there felt warm compared to higher up. The port-a-potties were one person each, one for women and one for men, and were clean and even had soap and running water. The food trailer was closed but looked upscale for being a trailer. Couldn't find a food menu but found a picture of the drink menu, which I will post here.

Overall, this was a good way to spend an afternoon with kids, particularly on a cooler weekday (as I imagine this would be miserable on a sunny hot day and very crowded on a weekend). Wear good shoes, bring water and food if it's not a weekend, and binoculars if you really want to...

Surreal place! And one of its kind!

Located on top of Halde Duhamel, which stands 150 meters above the surrounding area, a steel monument is located, commemorating the end of an era of the coal mining industry in Saarland. It is indeed visible from many parts of the neighboring villages and it entices visitors to explore its unique shape.

I started my visit from Ensdorf train station which is approximately 2.8 km (45 minutes walk) from the top of the Halde Duhamel. It took me around 15 minutes to walk through the city to the bottom of the halde and another 15 minute to climb to the top (with a fast pace, however it's quite a steep walk). Parking lot is located approx. 25 minutes away from the peak and travelling by car is probably a better option than using the train.

Once reached the flat top of the halde there is nothing but the exposed structure. It is indeed monumental and surreal, the whole place is actually surreal and feels like it is from a different universe. During my visit, the place was pretty much empty, just adding more to the unique atmosphere. Visitors can visit the unique structure (from both ends and free of charge) and climb stairs to the vertical beam that connects both columns, to enjoy the view, however there is nothing much to see apart from admiring the halde itself and couple chimneys and factories in nearby cities. The main reason to visit is the structure itself. Benches for relaxation and panoramatic boards with information are located within the horizontal platform for visitors to take a break from climbing stairs.

Around the structure, some information panels and benches are located as well. Toilets are also available. I spent around 1 hour here.

Is it worth the hike? Yes if you are here for the admiration of the structure, no if you are here for the views. Visited...

Opernfestspiele Saar Polygon 2024, which featured Mozart’s opera “The Magic Flute” at the Saarpolygon on the Bergehalde Duhamel in Ensdorf, Saarland.

The festival was a remarkable cultural event, combining music, art, and history. Here are the highlights:

Logistics and Organization: The festival was impressively well-organized. From ticketing to seating arrangements, everything ran smoothly. Attendees could easily navigate the venue, and the use of innovative technologies like light projections, LED displays, lasers, and surround sound enhanced the overall experience1.

Symbolic Location: The Saarpolygon, a steel sculpture atop the Duhamel heap, served as a powerful backdrop. It stands as a monument to coal mining, representing hard work, prosperity, and environmental impact. Choosing this site for the opera created a unique blend of past and present, resonating with both locals and visitors.

Artistic Direction: Under the direction of Italian artist Stefano Poda, the staging transformed the stage into a captivating masterpiece. Poda, as a director, set designer, costume designer, lighting designer, and choreographer, brought fresh perspectives to the classic opera. His innovative approach left a lasting impression on the audience.

Food Management: While the food management was average, it didn’t detract significantly from the overall experience. Attendees had access to basic refreshments, but it wasn’t a standout feature of the festival. However, the focus remained on the music and the unique setting.

In summary, the Opernfestspiele Saar Polygon 2024 successfully blended culture, history, and art, creating a new cultural beacon for Saarland and its guests. If you’re a music enthusiast, attending future editions of this festival is highly...