Zeche Auguste Victoria, Coal mine in Marl, Germany.
Zeche Auguste Victoria is a coal mining site in North Rhine-Westphalia that spreads across several shaft facilities between Marl and Haltern am See. The complex includes winding towers, engine halls, and extensive industrial buildings that remain today as architectural testimony to Ruhr mining.
Operations began in 1900 after businessman August Stein and engineer Julius Schäfer established the facility. Production continued until 2015, marking more than a century of active coal extraction in the region.
The facility's name honors Auguste Viktoria, Germany's last empress, whose connection to the site remains visible in historical records and documentation. During operations, the complex formed the center of an entire community, where daily life followed the rhythms of shift changes and production cycles.
The site lies between two towns and can be reached via roads connecting both communities. Visitors should note that the grounds cover a large area and sturdy footwear is recommended for exploring.
Between 1938 and 1962, the facility extracted iron ore alongside coal, setting it apart from other sites in the Ruhr area. This dual operation required additional machinery and specialized workers for both extraction processes.
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