LWL Industrial Museum – Zollern Colliery
One of the most beautiful icons of industrial culture invites you to look behind the façade of hard work underground and follow the path of coal. The Zollern Colliery in Dortmund takes you on a journey into Germany's industrial past.
Zollern Colliery – “The Castle of Work”
The Zollern Colliery in Dortmund is one of eight LWL museums dedicated to industrial heritage. It is considered an important example of a model colliery from the late 19th century. The complex combines industrial architecture with representative elements. The brick facades, ornate gables, and machine hall with its colorful Art Nouveau portal are particularly striking. The courtyard of honor and the special construction have earned the colliery the nickname “Castle of Work.” There is no comparable portal in industrial architecture in Europe.
Discover historical industrial culture
Between 1898 and 1904, the Zollern colliery was built as a model colliery for Gelsenkirchener Bergwerks-AG. The facility was designed by architect Paul Knobbe with the aim of creating a prestigious project representative of industrial culture. After it was decommissioned in the 1960s, demolition was planned, but thanks to the efforts of committed individuals, this was prevented. The machine hall was the first industrial building in Germany to be listed as a historic monument and is now considered the beginning of a rethinking of how the industrial heritage of the Ruhr region is dealt with.
Mining Museum in Dortmund
The historical original machinery makes this fiber optic museum unique. Of particular note is the electric hoisting machine, which is one of a kind in Germany. It can still be viewed on site today. In 2011 and 2016, the machine hall underwent extensive renovation. This involved restoration in line with conservation guidelines and technical refurbishment for museum operations. The exhibition offers a direct insight into the technological history of mining and the working world of earlier times. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Exhibitions and guided tours
A diverse visitor program makes the Zollern Colliery a lively place of industrial culture. Public tours, including sign language tours, excursions, and workshops provide exciting insights into history and technology. Families benefit from special offers for children and young people. A visit to the 35-meter-high winding tower offers a panoramic view of the former colliery site and the Ruhr area. For a break, the “Pferdestall” restaurant with beer garden serves Westphalian specialties and international dishes.
