Just a few meadows, a small hill and a railway line separate Lontzen from the hamlet of Rabotrath. Apart from a small chapel, there are a few farms. Yet in this idyll, the mining of calamine ores, typical of the region, has left its traces: as from the 15th century, open-cast mining was practised in Rabotrath. The calamine ores continued to be dug out at the surface right on into the 17th century. As from 1739, the miners proceeded more systematically, extracting the ore from 50 to 60 shafts. At about the end of the 19th century, mining in Rabotrath came to an end, and a unique fauna and flora established itself on the former pit site as the years went on. Metallophytes, which can only grow in soils containing heavy metals, flourish there. Particularly in May and June, calamine plants such as the yellow zinc violet blossom on the metalliferous soil. One of the most remarkable calamine meadows is right next to one of the information panels of the 'Via Gulia' hiking trail on the site of the former mine. Visitors can enjoy some magnificent views out into the distance from there too.
