Heinrich Schacht 3
Heinrich Schacht 3 is a mining headframe and industrial monument in Essen-Überruhr-Holthausen, built between 1957 and 1958. The structure features solid wall construction with a trapezoidal profile when viewed from the side, topped by lifting equipment mounted on the upper platform.
The Heinrich mine was founded in 1847 next to the Ruhr River and expanded over decades with additional shafts including Schacht 2 and 3. After decades of coal production, mining operations ceased in 1968, but the headframe remained active for water management purposes.
The name Heinrich comes from Wilhelm Heinrich Ridder, an Essen businessman whose name became associated with the mine over time. For generations, this site was the center of daily working life for miners and their families who depended on coal extraction for their livelihood.
The site is accessible from outside and offers calm paths for exploring the old structures. It is wise to wear appropriate footwear as the ground can be uneven, and the riverside location near the Ruhr makes the area damper.
Unlike many other mining operations, this site specialized in producing coal for brick manufacturing rather than coke production. This focused purpose shaped the mine's development and set it apart from the larger industrial facilities throughout the region.
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