As incredible as it may seem: the beautiful recreational lakes of the Leipzig New Lake District are wonderful by-products of the region's mining past. Now that the old open-cast mining pits have been flooded and converted into local recreation oases, little remains of the mining chapter in Leipzig's history. However, if you look into the distance at the Markkleeberger See or the Störmthaler See, you will see the huge industrial cranes, which are part of the Open-Air-Museum Bergbau-Technik-Park and serve as contemporary witnesses. You can explore the park on your own, with the help of display boards, or on a guided tour with former employees of the Espenhain open-cast mine. The Mining Technology Park clearly showcases the processes of opencast lignite mining and the gigantic machines are well worth a visit.