Major Mining Sites of Wallonia

Welcome to Grand-Hornu, a magnificent heritage site where the vast industrial history of Wallonia meets the evocative breath of contemporary post-carbon design. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2012, this…

It is truly astonishing to realize that a perfectly planned, fully integrated oval city dedicated to industry and human living was constructed directly on top of rich coal deposits. Gaze across the sweeping,…

It is deeply shocking to learn that a contemporary designer chose to set fire to an iconic twentieth-century modernist masterpiece in order to transform it into a completely new artistic statement. Direct your view to the low…

It is truly extraordinary to discover that dark, abandoned slag heaps—accumulated over decades from industrial coal mining waste—have transformed into thriving ecosystem reserves for exotic Mediterranean flora. Guide your gaze…

It is truly mind-shifting to discover that instead of burning coal to emit harmful carbon dioxide, designers are directly sculpting raw anthracite rock into elegant furniture and architectural objects. Look down at the floor to…

It is profoundly moving to learn that ash and charcoal gathered from burnt forests have been transformed into purifying soaps and protective, anti-bacterial clothing. Look at the expansive wall display filled with hundreds of…

As we step outside into the open air of Grand-Hornu, take a quiet moment to gaze at the imposing black silhouette of the slag heap, known locally as the terril, rising against the sky. Accumulated throughout the long history of…