World Heritage Photos

The Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen consists of the complete infrastructure of a historical coal mine. The complex is situated in the Ruhr area, a major industrial region on the banks of the Ruhr and Rhine rivers in Germany. Zollverein was founded in 1847; the sinking of the first shaft started that same year, while Shaft XII was sunk in 1932. The winding tower of Shaft XII has become a well-known symbol of Zeche Zollverein. Zollverein was closed down in 1986. Nowadays, the former Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex offers insight into mining history and the development of industrial architecture. The design of the red-brick buildings was influenced by the Bauhaus style and the New Objectivity. Just like the Völklingen Ironworks near Trier, Zollverein is now an inspiring meeting place for art and design. The former boiler house of Zollverein overlooks the Court of Honour (German: Ehrenhof). Today, it houses the Red Dot Design Museum, which features the largest exhibition of contemporary design in the world. The coal washing plant is the largest building at Zollverein. It now houses the Visitor Centre, which visitors can reach by riding the approximately 56-metre-long orange escalator, designed by the famous Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. Zollverein is situated about 71 km north of the German city of Cologne. In 2001, the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen gained status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. World Heritage Art: Zeche Zollverein 

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   The Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen consists of the complete infrastructure of a former coal mine. Zollverein was founded in 1847 and was the first underground coal mine in the region. Immense amounts of coal were required for steel production in the Ruhr region, a major industrial area in Germany. The Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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   Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, Essen: The modern escalator leading up to the former coal washing plant. The bright orange escalator was designed by the renowned Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. After riding the 55-metre-long escalator through a glass gangway, visitors reach the Visitor Centre and the Ruhr Museum in the former coal washing plant of the complex.

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   Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen: The machinery of the coal washing plant, the largest building at Zeche Zollverein. The former coal washing plant is now the Ruhr Museum. The museum accommodates the Zeche Zollverein Visitor Centre and exhibition rooms. The well-preserved industrial machinery presents the history and development of the coal mine and the Ruhr region.

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   Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen: The tall red-brick chimneys of the coking plant (Kokerei). Zollverein was once Europe's largest and most advanced facility for hard coal mining and one of the largest and most modern coal mining complexes in the world. Zollverein served as an important example for the coal mining industry elsewhere in Europe.

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   Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen: A coal chute. The entire industrial complex of Zeche Zollverein is preserved in its original state. The vast complex is located in the Ruhr Valley in Germany. During the Second World War, the industrial Ruhr region was a primary target for strategic Allied bombing, but the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex remained undamaged.

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   Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen: A coal wagon used in the coal mines to carry coal to the surface. The coal being extracted at Zollverein was mainly suitable for coking. The first coking plant and coke ovens were built in 1857; the plant was expanded over the years. A new coking facility was built between 1957 and 1961; this was the largest coking plant in Europe.

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   Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen: The buildings were designed in the style of the Bauhaus and the New Objectivity, featuring red-brick façades in a steel framework. The former boiler house overlooks the Court of Honour (Ehrenhof). Today, the boiler house accommodates the Red Dot Design Museum; it features the world's largest exhibition of contemporary design. The museum houses a collection of more than 2,000 design objects. The Red Dot Design Award is granted annually.

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   The coking plant of the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen was once the largest of its kind in Europe. Since its closure in 1993, the complex has become a major tourist attraction. In winter, the canal in front of the former coking plant is transformed into a popular ice rink. The Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen comprises both the Zollverein Coal Mine and the Zollverein Coking Plant.

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   Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen: A ride on the Zollverein Ferris wheel offers striking views inside a coke oven. When the Ferris wheel turns, the gondolas slowly descend into the oven of the coking plant. The highest point of the Ferris wheel offers amazing views over the enormous Zollverein Coal Mine plant, an industrial complex on the outskirts of the German city of Essen.

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    Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex: Inside a coke oven; a view from the deepest point of the Zollverein Ferris wheel. Essen is a huge city in the Ruhr region and it used to be one of the largest coal centres in Germany. Zollverein is an essential part of this region. The Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001.

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    Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen: The coking plant of Zollverein viewed from the Ferris wheel. After closing in 1986, the complex was nearly sold to China, but negotiations failed and the complex faced demolition. However, the State of North Rhine-Westphalia bought it and declared Zollverein a industrial monument and exhibition centre. Today, it is a cultural highlight in the Ruhr region and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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    Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen: The iconic winding tower of Shaft XII is a true masterpiece of architecture and engineering; it marks the entrance to the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex. The shaft was completed in 1932 and was and still is the most important shaft at Zollverein. Zollverein is widely regarded as the most beautiful coal mine in the world.

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    Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen: The iconic winding tower of Shaft XII was built in the Bauhaus style; the shaft has become a well-known symbol of the Ruhr region in Germany. The real name of this shaft is Schacht Albert Vögler; it was named after the then director general of the mining company. Zollverein was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. 

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    Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen: The buildings are connected by an extensive network of conveyor bridges with a total length of about 600 metres. The bridges stand about 30 metres high. Coal was transported to the coal washing plant via these conveyor bridges. The former Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex is now a cultural highlight in the Ruhr region. Zollverein is situated in Essen, about 71 km north of the city of Cologne.