MOTION POWERS HISTORY

Zahlreiche Schienen durchziehen das Weltkulturerbe Völklinger Hütte: Wo führten sie hin, was wurde darauf angeliefert, welche Produkte gingen von Völklingen aus in die Welt? Und von wo kamen die Menschen, die die schwere und nicht selten gefährliche Arbeit am Hochofen, in der Kokerei oder in der Gebläsehalle verrichteten? Das sind Fragen, die sich unweigerlich bei einem heutigen Besuch im ehemaligen Eisenwerk stellen.

The exhibits in the water tower span the period from the founding of the Völklingen Ironworks 150 years ago to the end of pig iron production in 1986. We come across the suitcase belonging to the ironworks’ founder, Julius Buch, complete with historical documents, and an original example of those successful steel girders bearing the ‘Röchling’ stamp, which contributed to the ironworks’ rapid rise. Also on display in the water tower: an original flywheel from the inclined ore lift, a radio interview with frequent flyer and national defence industry leader Hermann Röchling from Berlin’s Tempelhof Airport, historical shoes, time clocks and signs from the plant’s operational era, as well as memories from former factory workers, which were specially compiled and recorded for the exhibition. Added to this are numerous photographic records from the smelter’s various eras, as well as works magazines and advertising brochures. Taken together, these elements form an emotionally rich and highly vivid overview of the smelter’s eventful history.