Ellergronn, Nature reserve and protected area in Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.
Ellergronn is a nature reserve built on former mining land with ponds, dry grasslands, and beech forests connected by well-marked walking paths. The site contains several different habitats and covers terrain that shows how nature reclaims industrial spaces.
The site was designated as a protected area in 1988 over the former Cockerill mine, a center of extraction in the region. The conversion from mining land to nature reserve reflects Luxembourg's economic shift away from industry.
The nature center displays exhibitions about the region's mining past and how the landscape recovered after industrial use. Visitors can see old machinery and tools in restored buildings that remind them of the miners' work.
The paths are easy to walk and suitable for different fitness levels, with rest areas for breaks. The site is accessible by public transport and provides parking for visitors arriving by car.
The ponds support rare species like the crested newt and yellow water-lily that depend on specialized conditions. These populations benefited from halted mining activity and the rewetting of the terrain.
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