Camping in Ferropolis: An Extraordinary Experience!

Looking for an adventure with a difference? Camping in Ferropolis is a truly unique experience. This rustic campsite, nestled in the heart of Germany's industrial landscape and surrounded by colossal iron sculptures, promises an unforgettable vacation.

Gemini, Big Wheel, Mosquito, Mad Max, and Medusa are the names of the massive open-pit mining vehicles that have been retired for over 30 years. They once served as excavators and spreaders in the lignite coal industry of the former GDR.

Today, the "City of Iron" is a living museum and industrial monument to behold. The gigantic sculptures create a surreal atmosphere that's perfect for camping. Campsites are available for tents, caravans, motorhomes, and lodges.

The Ferropolis campsite regularly hosts various events, including concerts and film screenings.

What is there to discover in Ferropolis?

Big Wheel

The junior among the large open-pit mining machines. To the east of this remarkable island stands an architectural marvel that almost resembles a lighthouse. Unmistakable is the famous 8.4-meter-high rotating wheel that gives it its name.

• Year of Construction: 1984
• Manufacturer: TAKRAF (Heavy Machinery Construction Lauchhammer)
• Weight: 1,718 tons
• Dimensions: Height 31 m, Length 74.5 m
• Locations of Use: Goitzsche, Golpa Nord open-pit mine, Gröbern open-pit mine
• Crew: 3-5

Medusa

Camp in Ferropolis and discover Medusa. Medusa – aptly named for its distinctive 360-degree repair slewing crane and long boom – offers visitors a new way to explore the open-air museum. Barrier-free access with an elevator provides the opportunity to view the historic site from various angles and perspectives.

• Year of Construction: 1959
• Manufacturer: VEB Förderanlagen Köthen
• Weight: 1,200 tons
• Dimensions: Height 36 m, Length 102 m, Boom Length 61 m
• Locations of Use: Height 36 m, Length 102 m, Boom Length 61 m
• Crew: 5-7

Mad Max

This remarkable excavator has forty buckets that can move up to 1920 cubic meters of earth per hour. During open-air concerts, MAD MAX provides a breathtaking and impressive backdrop from the lakeside.

• Year of Construction: 1962
• Manufacturer: VEB Förderanlagen Köthen
• Weight: 1,250 tons
• Dimensions: Height 27.6 m, Length 79.2 m
• Locations of Use: Schlabendorf-Süd open-pit mine, Golpa-Nord open-pit mine
• Crew: 3 – 5

Mosquito

The 81-year-old "racehorse" of Ferropolis, considered the epitome of compactness among excavators, was used in various open-pit mines due to its small size.

• Year of Construction: 1941
• Manufacturer: Maschinenfabrik Buckau / Magdeburg R. Wolf
• Weight: 792 tons
• Dimensions: Height 27.2 m, Length 67.1 m
• Locations of Use: Golpa II open-pit mine, Muldenstein open-pit mine, Golpa-Nord open-pit mine, Gröbern open-pit mine
• Crew: 3 – 5

Camp in Ferropolis and discover Gemini

The largest of the five excavators, consisting of two main components and a loading and unloading device, is a true masterpiece. Gemini is open to visitors and offers captivating views both inside and out.

• Year of Construction: 1958
• Manufacturer: VEB Förderanlagen Köthen
• Weight: 1,980 tons
• Dimensions: Height 30 m, Length 125 m, Boom Length 60 m
• Locations of Use: Muldenstein open-pit mine, Golpa-Nord open-pit mine
• Crew: 6-8

Lok EL2

In the second half of the 19th century, the expansion of railway infrastructure was central to coal transport in lignite open-pit mining. These special railways were built from the mining area to processing plants and other transshipment points.

They played an important role in both transporting coal and removing overburden. Since December 2016, a mine railway locomotive has also been on display in Ferropolis.

• Year of Construction: 1952 – 1988, 1384 units for open-pit mines in the former GDR and for export
• Manufacturer: VEB Lokomotivbau Elektrotechnische Werke Hans Beimler Hennigsdorf, LEW
• Use: Hauling trains with 40 m³ overburden wagons and 84 m³ coal wagons in the
• open-pit mines. Locomotives of this series are still in use in the MIBRAG (Profen) and Vattenfall open-pit mines in the Lusatian lignite mining region.

Power Plant

Construction of the Zschornewitz power plant began in 1915. By 1918, it was fully operational and placed under the control of Elektrowerke AG, a subsidiary of AEG.

With its eight turbines and an unprecedented energy production of 128 megawatts (MW), the power plant was the most powerful lignite power plant in the world. Recognizing that electricity was the energy source of our future, Walter Rathenau and engineer Klingenberg made history by being the first to develop a power plant directly "on the lignite."

In 1992, the Zschornewitz steam power plant was officially decommissioned and operations ceased. Just three years later, in 1995, most of the facility had been demolished, except for a few components. What remained was declared an industrial monument.

Ferropolis Museum

After the 30,000 volts of electricity from the Zschornewitz power plant arrived at this thirty-kilovolt station, they were converted into 6,000 volts for powering large equipment and 1,200 volts for use by trains. Even today, you can see part of the original switchgear in this building.

The Ferropolis Support Association continuously expands the exhibition on regional mining history, revealing, among other things, a remarkable skeleton of a forest elephant that lived in this area 120,000 years ago.

You can also view old mining measuring devices and technical equipment from the past in the 30 kV station. Historical photo documents of the Golpa-Nord open-pit mine and the former villages of Gremmin and Golpa are also on display at this location.

A model room is currently being set up on the second floor. On the ground floor, there is an experimental room where you can discover experiments in the field of renewable energies.

Orangery

A guided tour of the peninsula always begins in the Orangery, as it is the hub of activity.

The Orangery is divided into two areas. The large hall can easily accommodate up to 400 people at once, while the smaller hall on the upper floor offers breathtaking views of the excavators and can host about 100 guests for any occasion throughout the year.

The Orangery can be rented for various events and functions.

Ferropolis Arena

In recent years, the arena, with a capacity of 25,000 spectators, has become a sought-after destination beyond its borders. Here, music meets light and nature, steel relics from the former industrial past, creating an atmosphere found nowhere else in the world.

Ferropolis is known for its spectacular acoustics and electrifying atmosphere, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to concerts, festivals, and events every year.

Activities in Ferropolis

In Ferropolis, you can not only marvel at excavators or attend events; a variety of sports activities are also possible, making your camping vacation even more diverse.

A mostly asphalted circular path of approx. 16 km leads around Lake Gremmin. From April to October, you can rent a bicycle in Ferropolis for your tour. An asphalted cycle path also leads to the peninsula.

Ferropolis is part of the R1 and the Coal-Steam-Light cycle route.

Various cycling maps of the region are available at the Ferropolis ticket office and shop.

Activities such as skiking, cross-golf, geocaching, and quad tours are also possible.

The playground is the perfect environment for children to explore and have fun. Here they can run, climb, swing, and slide as much as they want. But what's special are our mechanical mini-excavators, with which the little ones will feel like professional construction workers in no time.

Can you camp in Ferropolis?

Camping with a van in Ferropolis is an unforgettable experience. The rustic campsite offers plenty of space to park your motorhome and enjoy the breathtaking view of the giant iron sculptures towering above you. Enjoy your vacation with all the amenities like showers and toilets, fresh water, electricity hookups, and fire pits for grilling.

Whether you're looking for a quiet retreat in nature or an adrenaline-fueled adventure, Ferropolis has something for everyone. With its unique combination of culture and entertainment, it's no wonder that camping in Ferropolis is becoming increasingly popular.

What is the Vanlife Festival in Ferropolis?

If you're passionate about van life, caravanning, outdoor activities, DIY builds, and motorhomes, you should visit the Vanlife Festival in Ferropolis.

Here you'll find exciting workshops on the latest trends in self-builds, as well as various exhibitors on the topics of van life, caravanning, and camping. You can also get useful travel tips, and in the evenings, there's live music and a DJ for celebrating late into the night.

Conclusion: Camping in Ferropolis

If you're looking for a camping vacation with a difference, then you should visit the "City of Iron." There's a lot of history to experience here. But concerts, events, and a variety of activity options also make camping in Ferropolis so unique.