Introduction
The Völklingen Ironworks (German: Völklinger Hütte) is located in the German town of Völklingen, Saarland. In 1994, it was declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.
It is an anchor point of the European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH).History
In 1873, Julius Buch began planning of a steel works near Völklingen on the banks of the Saar river. However, this planned work was not completed. In 1881, Carl Röchling began new construction. Two years later the first smelter began operation. The plant closed in 1986.Today
Today, the Völklinger Hütte is a museum. The Ferrodrom is an interactive science center focusing on the making of iron. Visitors can tour the production areas. In addition, temporary exhibits, on a variety of topics are hosted in the large power halls. In the summer, there are occasional concerts held.
Reason to Be Selected
A visit to the World Cultural Heritage Site Völklingen Ironworks is an adventure: the visitor can go down deep into the dark corridors of the burden shed and climb up to the lofty heights of the blast furnace viewing-platform.The multi-media introduction to the sintering-plant takes the visitor on a journey through time, from the beginnings of the Völklingen Ironworks right up to the present day. From the roof of the ore shed, a view opens up over the town of Völklingen and the active works of Saarstahl AG. An impressive panorama at any time of year, both by night and by day.At the granulating-plant, the laid out picnic area, located between colourful aquatic plants and uncompromising steel offers visitors a chance to relax. Then there is the ascent to the top platform 27 metres above ground: where the raw materials were once tipped into the blast furnaces. If anyone feels like going up a little further, they can climb up to the viewing-platform of the blast furnace group from which an incomparable panorama can be seen.The top platform, spanning a length of 200 metres is now open to visitors: altogether an impressive experience. The tour continues by walking via the coal track, with its new 20 metre long spiral chute, over the blower shed footbridge into the blower shed. Here the blowers can be seen: giants of iron and steel which generated the blast that was then channelled into the blast furnaces.A tour of the World Cultural Heritage Site, with more than 7000 metres of exciting and well signposted walkways will generally take between two and three hours.The World Cultural Heritage Site Völklingen Ironworks: one of the most exciting places in the world.
| Lat: | 49.2189 |
| Lng: | 6.81114 |
| Type: | |
| Region: | Europe |
| Scale: | City |
| Field: | Facility |
| City: | Völklingen |