The Oberhagen is a forested area covering approximately 13 ha that was designated a nature reserve primarily because of its rich population of protected plant species. Of particular note here is the rare Turkish lily (up to 2,000 specimens; the northwesternmost known population).
The Oberhagen is also of enormous historical significance: iron ore has been mined here since the Middle Ages—two deep pits still bear witness to the mining era today. Oberhagen is home to one of the Sauerland’s most significant mining archaeological sites: the collapsed adits and the shafts—up to ten meters deep—of the former Rom Mine, which are fenced off for safety reasons.
Limestone was quarried on the western side until the 1970s, when operations near the city center had to be shut down for safety reasons. Starting in 2005, Oberhagen once again became the focus of local attention when plans were made to remove more than 30 meters from the eastern quarry wall. The aim was to expand the area for a proposed shopping center on the former quarry site. This project met with resistance—including the founding of the “Oberhagen Initiative” in 2006—and was abandoned.
This small grove is at its most beautiful when in bloom, especially during the spring months (visitors are asked to be considerate).
