The Saar polygon
Memory, Change & Future
Large accessible sculpture, vantage point, symbol for the change in an entire region, new landmark of the Saarland: the Saar polygon rises imposingly and can be seen from afar on the Duhamel heap in Ensdorf near Saarlouis. The building owner and operator of the landmark is the Förderverein BergbauErbeSaar e.V .. As a result of a Europe-wide competition, the design by the two Berlin architects Katja Pfeiffer and Oliver Sachse was realized. Whoever climbs the dump and the 30m high sculpture has a fantastic 360 ° panoramic view of large parts of the Saarland, of industry on the one hand and beautiful nature on the other. The Saar polygon came to an end in 2012 and is a reminder of the long tradition of mining in the Saarland. Mining has shaped generations of Saarland families and the cultural landscape. In the abstract design language of the polygon, motifs reminiscent of mining have been incorporated: winding towers, mallets and irons. Changing perspectives always allow new, exciting form impressions, while the material steel refers to the long tradition of the steel industry in Saarland. Nature is gradually reclaiming the dump. The Saar polygon stands for the change of an entire region and at the same time keeps the mining tradition, the stories and people connected to it alive - past and present meet here for tomorrow, the future. Keeping roots alive, preserving history. Without yesterday there is no tomorrow. In September 2016 the Saar polygon was ceremoniously presented to the public. Source: Text: Jeanette Dillinger