Mønsted Limestone pits - Accessibility should be experienced as a natural part of the whole and not as visible measures.
The visitor should not feel that special measures have been taken to accommodate people with walking difficulties and wheelchair users.
Based on this, the Bevica Foundation, in collaboration with the self-owned institution Mønsted Kalkgruber, Realdania, the Danish Nature Agency and the landscape architecture company Schønherr, has prepared a landscape plan that binds the special landscape, the historic buildings and the pits together into an equal experience for all. At the same time, the landscape plan brings the unique cultural-historical landscape into play as a new attraction.
It is also the ambition that the landscape plan for Mønsted Kalkgruber should serve as an example of how it is possible to create equal access for all without compromising architectural expression and without visible accessibility measures. It is “simply” about thinking about accessibility from the start and as a basic premise. The landscape plan is based on the materials judged to best suit the character of the site, and no visible accessibility measures such as ramps or the like have been used. Accessibility is created by a conscious and gentle regulation of the terrain, so that the existing landscape forms of the site are regulated as little as possible. The same is true in the pits. Coated concrete — which has a beautiful visual connection with the lime — is the material that binds the site's attractions together. In addition, castle gravel and the like have been used for smaller paths and seating areas, and wooden decks have been used there where special measures are needed to resolve terrain differences.
Mønsted Kalkgruber was inaugurated on 1 September 2017 with the participation of then Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
Awards
Mønsted Kalkgruber awarded European prize
In 2019, Mønsted Kalkgruber was selected by the international jury in the European Garden Award as one of Europe's top 3 development projects in the category “Best development of a significant cultural landscape in Europe”. The pits have been chosen based on the beautiful nature of the area and the way accessibility has been integrated into a unique historical cultural landscape. This is only the second time that a European Garden Award has been awarded to a Danish site.
→ Read more about the European Garden Award on Schønherr's website
Mønsted Kalgruber wins Accessibility Award 2018 in Viborg Municipality
On 20 June 2018, Mønsted Kalkgruber was awarded Viborg Municipality's Accessibility Award. Viborg Disability Council awards an award every year to a person, company or association in Viborg Municipality that has made a special effort for accessibility for all. “A fantastic approach has been made. It is accessible to a very large extent, the disabled parking spaces are close to the entrance, and you can get right down into the lime pits because the train has four spaces for wheelchairs. Down in the pits there are wooden walkways so that one can ride with wheelchairs, walk with a walker or walk with one's crutches. In addition, everything has been done thoughtfully, so it is also beautiful,” says Ulla Serup Thomsen, President of the Disability Council.
→ Read more about the award in Viborg Folkeblad
Mønsted Kalkgruber wins Architecture Prize 2018 in Viborg Municipality
On 28 September 2018, Mønsted Kalkgruber received the Architecture Prize of Viborg Municipality. The award is given to beautiful buildings, well-adapted redevelopments, restorations, urban spaces and other civil works that are considered to contribute to the beautification of Viborg Municipality.
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