Metalhenge, Scenic viewpoint and pedestrian zone in Bremen, Germany
Metalhenge is a circle of 25 rust-brown steel slabs, up to four metres tall, set on a flat sandy area about 40 metres up the disused eastern part of the Blockland landfill in Bremen-Walle. One slab on the left leans inward and bears the carved number 124; a smaller ring of slabs stands on a low mound behind. A stone-paved path leads up to the circle.
The installation opened on July 16, 2021, transforming a municipal waste site into a modern interpretation of ancient astronomical observation points. The project demonstrates how abandoned industrial sites can be reimagined.
The 25 steel pillars are aligned with celestial objects: eastern ones mark the rising points of selected stars, western ones the extreme setting points of the sun and moon, the Pleiades and the Virgo galaxy cluster. Three pillars mark north, east and west, and a double pillar marks south. Openings cut into some pillars reveal star paths when viewed from the circle's centre at eye height.
The site is accessible every day without admission fees and has designated paths that work for wheelchairs and strollers. Visit during clear weather to enjoy the best views from the elevated vantage point.
The 25 pillars are harbour sheet piles up to four metres tall, each aligned to a celestial object; those facing east mark star risings, those facing west the extreme setting points of the sun and moon. Three pillars mark north, east and west, and a double pillar marks south. The site sits at about 40 metres, not the landfill's 51-metre summit.
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