The Erdekaut, since 2008 also Erlebnislandschaft Erdekaut, is a landscape conservation area in the north-eastern Palatinate Forest (Rhineland-Palatinate), which was established on the basis of abandoned clay pits and bears the number 07-LSG 3.020. A mining museum is operated in the centrally located historic building of the only preserved Riegelstein mine.
(Wikipedia)
The Riegelstein pit in the former clay and sand pit area between Eisenberg and Hettenleidelheim was still in operation until 1996;
Green clays were mined at a depth of approx. 50 m. After the pits were abandoned, a unique landscape protection area with rare animals and plants was created here.
The Zweckverband Erdekaut, founded in 2003 by the town of Eisenberg (Palatinate) and the local community of Hettenleidelheim, has set itself the task of preserving and caring for the landscape protection area and the Riegelstein pit. The animal and plant world should be protected and their continued existence guaranteed. The post-mining landscape was made accessible to tourism in line with the protective purpose. Signposted circular hiking trails, various vantage points and adventure playgrounds invite young and old to linger.
vg-eisenberg.de
The 64-hectare conservation area is around 250 m above sea level. NHN between Eisenberg and Hettenleidelheim in the hilly floodplain south of the Eisbach and mostly east of the federal highway 47. The northern part belongs to Eisenberg, the southern part to Hettenleidelheim. The eastern border roughly coincides with the Schulwiesengraben, which flows a few meters to the east from the left into the Seltenbach, a right-hand tributary of the Eisbach.
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The landscape protection area was established in 1985. The name derives from the Palatinate term Kaut for "pit" and refers to the former mining of clay, which can be traced back over centuries. At peak times, 800 miners were employed.
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Closing the clay pits encouraged the creation of ponds and open land. Such a landscape provides habitat for rare plants and animals, especially certain dragonfly, amphibian and bird species, which are under protection because they are threatened with extinction.
In addition to 16 orchid species, e.g. Flat-bellied dragonfly, crested newt, common toad and yellow-bellied toad as well as wryneck, kingfisher and little bittern.
The protection of the earth in 1985 prevented major human intervention in the established biotope.
(Wikipedia)
A beautiful landscape conservation area which can be walked through on paths and has benches to rest ready to enjoy at one or the other former pit (now lakes)!
The Erdekaut, since 2008 also the Erdekaut adventure landscape, is a landscape conservation area in the north-eastern Palatinate Forest (Rhineland-Palatinate), which was established on the basis of abandoned clay pits and bears the number 07-LSG 3.020. A mining museum is operated in the centrally located historic building of the only preserved Riegelstein mine.
(Wikipedia)