Bergmannstag in the Lauchhammer Castle Park

Mining Heritage and Family Festival in One

When the park railway starts its journeys in early July in the Lauchhammer-West Castle Park, bratwurst sizzles on the grill, and brass bands play miners' songs, it's Bergmannstag. The festival day is a central tradition of the town of Lauchhammer and its roots reach back to 1953 — the year the town charter was granted. At that time, Bergmannstag was introduced to celebrate the Lusatian lignite tradition, which the town lived on for decades.

The Lauchhammer-West Castle Park

The venue for the festival is the historic Castle Park in the Lauchhammer-West district. The park was created in the 18th century around the former castle of the von Löwendal family, who also founded the famous Lauchhammer Ironworks here — one of the earliest iron foundries in Europe, whose bronze casting was world-renowned until the 21st century. Today, the park is a green recreational area with old trees and playgrounds.

What You'll Experience at Bergmannstag

• Park Railway Rides — the historic narrow-gauge railway runs through the entire park
• Stage program with brass music, miners' choirs, and regional bands
• Dance performances by traditional Lusatian folklore groups
• Children's program with bouncy castle, carousel, games
• Snack stands with Lusatian specialties, bratwurst, beer
• Exhibitions on the town's mining history
• Gathering of former miners and their families

Lauchhammer and Structural Change

Lauchhammer is a town in the Oberspreewald-Lausitz district, shaped by the structural change of the Lusatian lignite mining region. Until 1990, BKW Lauchhammer (Brown Coal Works) was the largest employer here, and the Klettwitz open-cast mine supplied coal for its own power plant. After the decline of GDR industry, the town transformed — today it is part of the Lusatian Lake District, with the old open-cast mines flooded to form lakes. Bergmannstag commemorates this history and celebrates the people who wrote it.

The Park Railway — Heart of the Festival

The Lauchhammer Park Railway, operated by the Traditionsverein Braunkohle Lauchhammer e.V. (Lauchhammer Brown Coal Heritage Association), is one of the oldest park railways in Germany. It celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2025. On Bergmannstag, it runs a shuttle service through the park and is a magnet for children from the entire region.