Metallurgical plant in Felklingen

The metallurgical plant in the city of Fölklingen became the first such object included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List. The plant, which had been in operation for more than 100 years, was discontinued in 1986 as production ceased to be profitable, but all its structures remained unchanged. Now this monument of the industrial era is used as an industrial museum.

Since the first years of operation, the plant has been rapidly developing, the amount of smelted metal has been constantly increasing. The most advanced technologies for those times were used here, new methods of obtaining metals were tested. Many technical solutions and developments were first put into practice in Fölklingen. In the best years for the company, almost 17 thousand people worked here. Unfortunately, over time, his equipment became obsolete. Funds for the modernization of blast furnaces were not enough, and it was decided to close the plant.

Until now, the plant, occupying as much as six hectares of urban territory, has been preserved in its original form. Huge metal structures, stairs, bunkers, labyrinths of pipes, frozen workshops with a full set of equipment - everything creates an unrealistically grandiose picture. It seems that someone is about to press an invisible button, and the whole thing will come into motion: buzz, creak, sparkle, and melted metal will pour out of the buckle.

Visitors can clearly see the metallurgical production here in detail - from beginning to end, appreciating the hard work of metallurgists and its peculiar romance. And in April 2007, the Ferrodrom Research and Educational Center was opened here with interactive exhibits that allow adults and children to understand the technological processes of metal melting.