Terril des Viviers, Former coal mining site in Gilly, Belgium
Terril des Viviers is a former coal mining site spanning around 19 hectares, featuring a main water body, seasonal ponds, and wooded sections along its western and northern edges. Half of the site has been developed into a public park with accessible pathways, open meadows, and water features that visitors can walk through freely.
This site originated as a waste heap from coal mining, an industry that shaped Wallonia from the 18th century onwards and transformed entire communities. After mining activities ended, the heap was deliberately converted into a natural space, allowing recovery of the land and new uses for public benefit.
The name reflects its coal mining past, and today the site shows how an industrial wasteland has transformed into a place where people and nature coexist. Locals and visitors use the wooded areas and water features regularly, making it a working landscape that keeps industrial memory alive through everyday experience.
The park is easily accessible on foot with clear marked paths throughout the site. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear, as the ground can be muddy or wet depending on the season and recent weather.
The site hosts rare plant and animal species that are otherwise scarce in the region, making it rewarding for nature observers. Its biological diversity is notably high and supports ecosystems that face threats elsewhere.
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