Saarbrücken Regional Association: Industrial Heritage and Monuments

The Völklingen Ironworks makes industrial heritage a prominent feature of the Saarbrücken Regional Association. It is an outstanding example of an integrated pig iron production plant of the type that shaped industry in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was also the first industrial monument from this period to be added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Both the plant’s industrial function and its special status as an industrial monument are therefore central here.

Industrial heritage and protected sites

Saarbrücken Castle also combines monument status with cultural life: it is an 18th-century cultural monument, and concerts are held at the castle. The Saar Historical Museum is a cultural monument dating from the 13th to the 20th century. It includes an underground castle and hosts exhibitions. The castle and museum thus offer different ways to experience culture and history. If you would like to plan your stay around a concert or the exhibitions, check the latest dates and programme in advance.

Since 2001, the Franco-German Garden has been protected as an individual monument and has two playgrounds. Wintringer Chapel Cultural Site is a 15th-century cultural monument and an art station in the Bliesgau UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. These places combine garden-based leisure with recognized heritage and art history. When planning, you can decide whether you would rather focus on a protected garden area, a museum, a castle or an art station.

Animals, cycle paths and hiking

Saarbrücken Zoo is home to more than 1,000 animals from 150 different species; Saarbrücken Wildlife Park has 120 native species and species that have become established locally. These figures are not directly comparable: the zoo figures refer to both animals and species, while the wildlife park figure refers to the number of species. Animal populations and species lists may change. So if particular animals are important to your plans, check the latest information in advance.

For cycling, the Saarbrücken region has a dense network of recreational cycle paths. The Saarbrücken Regional Association has established the Velo visavis routes together with the neighbouring districts on both the German and French sides. They lead away from traffic into the natural areas of Saarkohlenwald and Warndt Forest, as well as along the Upper Saar. Routes and signposting may change; check both before setting off. For hiking, the Schäfertrail follows the sheep’s tracks. Cycle routes with named destinations and a hiking trail with a distinctive route thus offer different ways to explore the landscape.

Choose your hotel location based on your travel plans

Use the places you want to visit as a guide when comparing potential hotel locations. This lets you choose your base to suit your travel plans. If your stay includes a concert, museum visit or cycling tour planned in advance, it is also worth checking the relevant dates and route information again before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Großrosseln, Heusweiler, Friedrichsthal, Riegelsberg, Quierschied, Saarlouis, Sankt Wendel, Neunkirchen.

Go to the main travel overview: Saarland.