Picnic area long terril - Terhills - Maasmechelen

This picnic table is on top of the long terril in Terhills, the old coal mine in Eisden.

From 1964, stone dust was piled up here to a height of 55 metres. It was planned to use this slag heap if the coal mine had not closed in 1988.

In the 1990s , shrubs and plants were sown on the long slag heap . In July, the yellow flowers of girls' eyes bloom, and in sunny weather , butterflies flock en masse on the grassy warm slopes with many flowers.

With a view of the 'mine cathedral' in the Eisden mine cité, the 'pencil minaret' of the local mosque, the headstocks and main buildings of the former Eisden mine and the large lake with the twin terrils in the background, this will be one of the most beautiful views in Flanders mentioned in a much-photographed location.

Willem Vandenameele