Willem Sophia and the Memorial Chapel

This route explores the mining history of this area. There were several coal mines, all of which have been closed and disappeared since the end of the last century. However, there are still notable points that serve as reminders. One of them is the former Willem Sophia coal mine in the western part of the municipality of Kerkrade.

The route begins at the border between Heerlen and Kerkrade, right at the western tip of Landgraaf. Along the way along Heistraat with its old office buildings and the miners' colony, we pass the botanical garden established by the mines. Continuing through today's Heilust park, which used to be the mining area of Willem Sophia, we proceed on the route and cross the path of the Miljoenenlijntje, approaching the Buiten Ring, which is crossed via a wooden pedestrian bridge. The route leads into the city center of Kerkrade, but at the riding school of the Green Valley, the route goes under the Buitenring via a pedestrian bridge to Kapellerbosje, reaching the steam train station as well as the city train station and the Museumplein.

From the train station, we head to the Elisabeth Stift and the Boerenanselerhoeve towards GaiaZoo, but we continue through the green area past fish ponds over the old wood storage of the Wilhelmina mine to the memorial chapel for the miners who lost their lives in a work accident. The tour ends in the White World, which used to be as black as soot.