Ruhr Area
Four wooden cooling towers cooled thousands of cubic metres of water produced by the Hansa coking plant near Dortmund daily.
Route der Industriekultur
The Route der Industriekultur (Route of Industrial Heritage) is a fascinating network of landmarks in Germany's Ruhr region, celebrating its rich industrial history. Spanning over 400 kilometres, the route links mines, steelworks, factories, and museums transformed into cultural and recreational spaces. Key attractions include the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Gasometer Oberhausen, now an exhibition hall. Visitors can explore industrial architecture, learn about the region's role in shaping modern Europe, and enjoy scenic parks and bike trails that blend history with natural beauty.
- 20 destinations
Ruhr Area
In 1901, August Thyssen built a steel factory with a blast furnace, the Rheinische Stahlwerke zu Meiderich bei Ruhrort, in Duisburg, Germany.
Ruhr Area
The Hansa coking plant in the German city of Dortmund operated for 64 years, but the factory closed its doors in 1992.
Ruhr Area
At the beginning of the twentieth century, Consol - full name Zeche Consolidation - belonged to the largest coal mines in the Ruhr area. The shafts were spread throughout Gelsenkirchen.
Ruhr Area
The Schwelgern coke-oven plant, built in 2003 along the river Rhine in Duisburg, is one of the most modern, environmentally friendly and largest coke-oven plants in the world.
Ruhr Area
The steel headframe is all that remains of the Thyssens' mining empire in the German town of Duisburg.
Ruhr Area
One of the oldest preserved blast furnaces in the Ruhr area, the Henrichshütte in Hattingen, was built in 1854.
Ruhr Area
The domed coke mixing plant in Oberhausen is the most remarkable remains of the former Osterfeld coal mine.
Ruhr Area
A stone's throw from the headquarters of the Zeche Zollverein in Essen, a headframe has been preserved from a smaller coal mine that was part of the mining giant.
Ruhr Area
In 1890, coal mines were popping up like mushrooms in the German Ruhr area. The Zeche Zollern was one of the seventy newcomers you can still visit today.
Get the latest stories straight to your inbox
Latest from the blog
On the occasion of International Art Nouveau Day, celebrated each year on June 10, a look at how this ornate architectural movement found its way into the most unlikely of places like coal mines, power stations, and railway yards and the long, sometimes heartbreaking battles to save what remains.
All photos and stories are copyrighted. Of course, linking to articles on the site is possible and allowed.
If you would like to use photos or articles from this website, please contact bart@hiddenmonuments.com.
© 2003-2026 Hiddenmonuments.com