A place travelers can visit Zeche Zollverein

Reviews: Zeche Zollverein

General description: Zeche Zollverein

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Description
The coking plant complex is almost 1 km long - a relatively new industrial monument, it was only shut down in 1993 after a good 30 years of operation. In 304 coke ovens which were lined up alongside one another, coal was "baked" for around 24 h at over 1000°C in order to produce coke as an important basic ingredient for the production of pig iron. The chimneys are almost 100 m high. The old, silo-like bunkers are used as an exhibition space today. It is well worth visiting when there is an exhibition on, or you can go on a guided tour. At night, this landmark is lit up and transformed into a glowing red sculpture. In the salt hall store, you can see the "Palace of Projects" exhibition by the Russian-American artist Ilya Kabakov. In summer, a mini open-air pool in containers in the shadow of the chimneys invites you to plunge in and cool off. In winter, the 600 m long water basin beneath the row of coke ovens is turned into an ice rink. The Zeche Zollverein coal mine facilities and the coking plant of the same name are a Unesco World Heritage Site. The sight of the huge twin-pedestal conveying equipment at shaft 12 of the mine is incredible for people who are new to the Ruhr area. The tower is surrounded by listed architecture: Building cubes made from steel lattice and brick, very simple, very elegant, very functional. This cathedral of industrial culture was constructed from 1928-1932. When it opened, it was the largest and most modern mine in the world. New life has once again returned to all halls: The visitor centre for the Industrial Culture Route is situated in the former switching house. Incidentally, only a single section of the mine has been preserved virtually unchanged: the carriage circuit beneath the shaft tower, today the Museumspfad Zollverein. There is a smell of coal in the air once again, and apart from being accompanied by a genuine old miner there is no better way of reliving the past of coal mining, so make sure you book a guided tour. Modern dance with interesting and varied programmes of events can also be seen at the site in the Zollverein Pact/Choreographic Centre of NRW.
This cathedral of industrial culture in Essen is also a Unesco world heritage site.

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