Zollverein
Mining here started in the middle of the 19th century in the village of Katernberg. Because of its closeness to the major railway to Cologne, the site had the potential to grow.
And it did grow indeed. This culminated in the construction of shaft no. 12 in 1930, with its outer landmarks often named the Eiffel Tower of the Ruhr Area. The architects were Fritz Schupp and Martin Kremmer, for whom both functionality and aesthetic qualities counted.
Awarded by UNESCO because 'It constitutes remarkable material evidence of the evolution
and decline of the coal industry over the past 150 years.'
Visit August 2003
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I found it a bit spooky to walk here on my own on a quiet Sunday morning. The complex is huge, with multistorey buildings, bridges, railway lines and towers. All in the same dark red colour.
Since the mining here stopped, nature is beginning to win back its territory. Most of the railway tracks and the smaller industrial leftovers are now covered with moss, grass and weeds. This adds a special atmosphere to the place - a good location for a film director to shoot a thriller.
Many of the buildings nowadays are used for art exhibitions. The Red Dot Design Museum is worth a visit both for its collection of contemporary design and to take a look inside one of the industrial halls.
Reviews
Ian Cade (England):
 Much like other reviewers I just visited this site to tick another one of my list, however I found it to be a highly rewarding trip and Zollverein is one of the finest industrial WHS I have visited.
When I first looked up the site I didn’t realise the extent to which the Architecture of the site as an important part of the inscription. The fist complex was actually beautifully designed, a real functionalist masterpiece drawing on the influence of the Bauhaus movement. The modern additions to the site were well done, especially the bright orange escalator that led into Kohlenwasche in Schacht 12.
There were maps dotted around the complex, however many times I did end up walking down paths that lead nowhere or to some sort of derelict end. However this was a real highlight for me, seeing the decaying ruins of the industrial past being absorbed and subsumed by the local fauna was really interesting, I just wish I had taken a better camera with me.
After touring the first two complexes I moved on to the Kokerei. The massive decaying remains were actually quite beautiful. Unfortunately the Sonnerad (Ferris Wheel) was closed and the swimming pool was emptied of its water but it was still a great location to stop for a quick beer in the afternoon sun.
It was pretty easy to get to the complex with a tram (107) running directly there from Essen Hbf (Main Station)
This as one of the finest Industrial sites I have visited from the World Heritage list, and the well designed buildings and rotting industrial remains are actually quite beautiful, making this a rewarding site to visit in one of the industrial heartlands of western Europe. |
| Date posted: September 2009 |
Ingemar Eriksson (Sweden):
Very impressive structure and just the size, 1,1 km2 is a really big site. I loved the architecture, the great plan and that it was so strictly restored.
A guided tour gives information that coal mining was hard work and that european coal mining is doomed as they have to go more than 1000m deep to find more coal. Very interesting, but you better learn german to understand homepage and information at site. |
| Date posted: July 2008 |
Klaus Freisinger (Austria):
Being no particular fan of industrial history, I just went to Essen to see another WH site, but I was pleasantly surprised. Zollverein is a really big (14 sq.km) industrial complex that was the biggest coal mine of its day (1920s and 30s), and the grand industrial architecture served the purpose of impressing visitors with the mine owner's wealth and power. I took a guided tour that took almost 2.5 hours - the guide was really great and very informative. Now I know everything I never thought I wanted to know about coal-mining and especially about the miserable and dangerous lives of the miners there. The site is interesting for its architectural as well as economic and social history, and definitely deserves a visit. |
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Adrian Lakomy (Slovakia):
 I visited only the Schacht XII and the coalwash. The guide was a young lady who really loves her job. Unfortunately it was only in german so i didnt understand everything well. The areal is built in cubism.
If you are a fan of technics this is a must see, if not then in this site you can learn much about coalmining processes and history too. This site is quite large, so prepare to take good shoes.
Pic: view on site from the roof of the coalwash |
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Andy Hodgson (Canada):
I recently visited this site while on vacation in Germany with my wife. It was an exceptionally difficult place to find - my guidebook failed to mention an address, and my rental car's gps system didn't list it as a museum or local attraction in Essen. Only after asking someone on the street did we find it...but even then, there were very few signs indicating where to go, where to park, or what a visitor can see and do.
Whilst the architecture was impressive, and what little I could learn from the small cafe atop one of the structures, I really couldn't get a sense of even where I should walk to.
Another reviewer on this page mentioned it would be a great place to film a "thriller" movie...and I wholeheartedly agree! A spooky and odd place, indeed.
For those with access to a guided tour (or someone with some local knowledge), I'm certain you'd take away much more from this place than I did.
My wife and I spent more time trying to find our car again after walking aimlessly around these gigantic structures and surreal art galleries! |
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Frederik Dawson (Netherlands):
 Thanks to the World Cup that took me back to Germany again. Zollverein was on my list to visit for a long time, but going to Germany for just to see this industrial complex was quite worthless in my idea. This world cup opportunity made me decided to visit the Ruhr area in the morning before the match in the evening and Essen was my prime target.
Ruhr area is an industrial powerhouse of Germany for a long time, but I really surprised to find out this region is very nice and very green despite of many factories and densely population. Essen or “Stahlstadt” by many Germans was famous for coal and Steal production and Krupp family with few tourist attractions, and the most popular sight is Zeche Zollverein coal mine complex.
The complex is very big and has many buildings built in Bauhaus inspired style making this mine looks very stylish and modern. I have to admit that this mine complex is really unique and its buildings are worthwhile to see. Unfortunately, the main buildings were closed for restoration during my trip so I did not have opportunity to see the mining museum. But the complex is not just a museum; many buildings in the complex have been transformed to be contemporary art museum, conference hall, cinema, restaurant, and even casino.
So far Zollverein is nice and should be the place to visit when you are in Essen. I also recommend you to go to this complex before it will transform to something strange. The development of this site is quite a hot issue in German news as some development devalued the significance of Zollverein which put it on world heritage list. (I think casino is a first step of bad development) The complex is just outside the town centre and from Essen Hbf takes tram no. 107 to Zeche Zollverein. |
| Date posted: September 2006 |
Marcel (Germany):
This year I decided to escape from carnival parties and went to Essen to visited a friend of mine there. Together we booked a guided tour through the complex of Zeche Zollverein - and we were the only ones on this Saturday afternoon who wanted to join the last guided tour of the day, so it was a private tour for us. ;-)
The guide formerly worked in this coal mining complex and so he could tell us many things he experienced during his time there. It was interesting to get to know how this whole cole mining thing goes on. Nowadays most buildings are used for exhibitions, concerts etc. ... nice to visit, when you spend a day in Essen. And don't miss the beautiful synagogue in Essen's city centre. |
| Date posted: March 2006 |
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