Steenfabriek De Duursche Waarden, Olst

Steenfabriek De Duursche Waarden is a closed brick factory in Olst with preserved kilns and a distinctive chimney located within the nature reserve Duursche Waarden. The site displays the layout of a working production facility, with multiple ovens and storage areas that are now surrounded by growing vegetation.

Operations began in 1828 when brick production started, and the factory remained active as a regional producer for nearly 150 years. The current visible ovens were built in 1920, marking a modernization phase before the facility closed in 1976.

This facility shows how brick making shaped communities along the IJssel, with its structures serving as reminders of when this industry anchored the local economy and way of life.

The site is best explored on foot through walking trails that connect to the nature center IJssel den Nul and a viewing tower in the area. Access to the grounds is generally open, though visitors should be prepared for uneven terrain and older structures.

The old clay pits where materials were extracted have turned into water pools after the factory closed, now providing habitat for waterfowl and fish. This natural transformation demonstrates how industrial sites can become valuable spaces for local wildlife.