Bagger 1452, Industrial heritage museum in Görlitz, Germany
Bagger 1452 is a massive bucket-wheel excavator that was used for brown coal extraction and now stands as a museum exhibit in Görlitz. The machine consists of a bucket wheel and a loading boom, both with substantial dimensions.
The machine was built in 1961 by an East German manufacturer and worked for decades in the Phönix open-pit mine. Its operation ended in 2001, and it was later transported to Görlitz to be made accessible to the public.
The excavator represents engineering achievement from East Germany and recalls the era when brown coal shaped the region's economy. Visitors see here a symbol of the labor and endurance tied to mining in Saxony.
The site is located at the edge of Görlitz and is easily reached on foot or by car, with parking available on site. Visitors should bring weather-appropriate clothing, as the installation is outdoors and weather conditions can affect the experience.
The bucket wheels were specifically designed for brown coal extraction and could handle large quantities of material daily. This technical system was a turning point for the mining industry and made large-scale extraction economically viable.
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