All tours in Hamm

Hamm

Echoes of the Earth: From Coal Dust to Glass Elephants

2.8 km104 min7 stops

What awaits you on this Red Thread tour

Step into the heart of the Ruhr Valley's most miraculous rebirth. On this redthread tour, you'll explore Maximilianpark, where a doomed 1902 coal mine has been radically transformed into a vibrant ecological and cultural wonderland. Discover how toxic wastelands became tropical butterfly sanctuaries, and how a grim coal washery was reborn as a giant, glowing glass elephant. It's a story of disaster, resilience, and the beautiful, complicated art of moving on.

Itinerary

1

TOUR START

Maximilianpark Main Entrance

The gateway to the tour, introducing Hamm's history as a powerhouse of coal and the 1984 State Garden Show that birthed this park.

Maximilianpark Main Entrance

Pic by Foto Fitti on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

0.15 km • 2 min
2

STOP 2

Die Waschkaue (Former Washhouse)

Once the place where miners scrubbed off the coal dust, this building is now a vibrant event and cultural hall.

Die Waschkaue (Former Washhouse)

Pic by Foto Fitti on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

0.18 km • 3 min
3

STOP 3

Elektrozentrale

The former electrical heart of the colliery, which once powered the massive water pumps and now powers community exhibitions.

0.02 km • 0 min
4

STOP 4

Glaselefant (Glass Elephant)

A 35-meter-tall walkable glass elephant transformed from an old coal washing plant, symbolizing Hamm's structural change.

Glaselefant (Glass Elephant)

Pic by Foto Fitti on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

0.40 km • 6 min
5

STOP 5

Schmetterlingshaus (Butterfly House)

A tropical microclimate housing thousands of butterflies, built on former toxic industrial wasteland.

Schmetterlingshaus (Butterfly House)

Pic by Torsten Kaiser 111 on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.32 km • 5 min
6

STOP 6

Parkeisenbahn (Park Railway Station)

A miniature railway that connects the park's leisure present to Hamm's massive locomotive past.

1.71 km • 26 min
7

END

Zechensiedlung Werries

The historic miners' settlement adjacent to the park, grounding the story in the everyday lives of the community.

Where the tour takes place

Starting point and rough tour area – the exact route unfolds in the app.

Good to know

  • Ideal for History buffs, architecture enthusiasts, nature lovers, and urban explorers fascinated by industrial transformation.
  • Best time Late afternoon, allowing you to see the park in daylight and catch the Glass Elephant illuminated at dusk.
  • Footwear Wear comfortable walking shoes for the park trails.
  • Tickets Check park admission fees and opening hours beforehand.
  • Photography Bring a camera—the Glass Elephant is incredibly photogenic.
  • Weather Bring an umbrella; the Ruhr weather can be unpredictable.
  • Your voucher You can redeem your voucher for two years from purchase. Once redeemed, you have 14 days of access and can enjoy the tour as often as you like during that time.

Your guide

Tom Bennett
Audio sample
0:000:00

Tom Bennett

  • Urbanism, Infrastructure & Innovation
  • Northern England

Architecture and urban planning professional. Explains the city's hidden systems – from mobility to water pipes – clearly and vividly.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the tour after buying?

You see your voucher code right after payment – and you also receive it at the email address you entered at checkout. Redeem that code in the Red Thread app; that's where the tour starts.

When does my access start?

Only when you redeem the code in the app, not at purchase. From redemption you have 14 days of access to the tour.

Do I need the Red Thread app?

Yes. The free Red Thread app turns your tour into a vivid experience: with audio, a map, and thoughtful prompts, it guides you from place to place in an engaging and entertaining way. It's available free for iOS and Android.

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