The Saar-Polygon

In 2012, coal mining in the Saar ended after more than 250 years. To create a monument for the Saar Mining region and the miners, but also to look towards the future, the Saar-Polygon has been created at Ensdorf.

The finished sculpture combines the past, the period of change and the future to create a reminder of an essential historical part of the region: its coal mining. The Saar-Polygon is already one of the striking sights in Saarlouis and it allows an impressive view even to France and Luxembourg.

The 30m-high hot dip galvanized steel structure forms a walk-in monument consisting of two slanting towers connected by a bridge. Depending on which direction you look at the monument from, it changes shape, assuming the form of a rectangular arch, an inverted triangle, an inverted V, an hour glass-like structure and finally like the letter T falling onto its side. The shape of ‘The Polygon’ itself vaguely resembles the supporting structures that have been used in underground mining.