In 1847, the coal and steel industry in the German Ruhr area reached cruising speed as industrialist Franz Haniel erected a coal mine in Essen.
In 1993, the Kokerei Zollverein coking plant was at the end of its rope: the steel crisis of the 1990s caused the demand for coke to melt away.
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If you love hiking and exploring industrial history, the Minett Trail in southern Luxembourg is the perfect adventure. Winding through the country’s historic steel heartland, this trail connects old industrial sites, cultural landmarks, and striking landscapes.
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