The park was built on the site of the former Gessenbach valley, which was completely reshaped following the remediation of the Wismut uranium mining operations.
The Gessental Bridge consists of 528 cubic meters of wood and is notable for its intricate structural design without the use of steel girders for the primary span.
The project included the creation of the 'Drachenschwanz' (Dragon's Tail), an earthwork sculpture that serves as both a barrier and a defining aesthetic feature of the landscape.
Ecological remediation efforts involved the movement of millions of cubic meters of earth to stabilize slopes and recreate natural water drainage patterns.
The park features several 'time windows' or information points that explain the history of the uranium mining and the subsequent transformation of the land.
Neue Landschaft Ronneburg is a large-scale landscape park created for the 2007 Federal Horticultural Show (BUGA) on the site of a former open-cast uranium mine. The park spans approximately 60 hectares and features extensive reclamation work that transformed industrial scars into diverse ecological zones. Key features include the 20-meter-tall wooden Gessental Bridge, one of the longest of its kind in Europe. The area integrates varied terrain, including the Grobsdorfer Alp, a massive man-made hill offering panoramic views of the Thuringian countryside. Visitors can explore a network of themed gardens, wetlands, and reforestation zones linked by paved walking and cycling paths. The park serves as a hub for both environmental education and leisure activities, utilizing the terrain's geological history as a narrative element. It functions as a prominent example of post-industrial landscape architecture in Eastern Germany. The site remains a public green space managed to support local biodiversity and recreation.
The elevated viewing platform at the top of the Grobsdorfer Alp for a 360-degree perspective of the park.
Bring comfortable walking shoes, as the park covers a large area with significant elevation changes between the valley floor and higher viewpoints.
Carry sun protection, as many sections of the park are open fields with limited mature tree cover.
Check the local events calendar before visiting, as the park frequently hosts regional markets, sports events, and open-air concerts.
Do not attempt to hike off the marked trails, as some areas near the slopes are protected for ecological recovery or remain unstable.
Cyclists are restricted to designated paths to preserve the integrity of the landscaped gardens and meadows.
