Zeche Westerholt, Coal mine heritage monument in Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Zeche Westerholt is a mining complex that spans Gelsenkirchen and Herten, containing several shafts and industrial buildings from different periods of construction. The site displays head frames, machinery, and administrative buildings that document the operation of a large coal mine.
The complex was founded in 1908 to supply coal for railroads and the Prussian navy. It operated continuously for nearly a century until its final closure in 2008.
The industrial buildings show how miners and their families lived and worked in this area across generations. The structures and machinery tell the story of daily challenges and the pride people took in their skilled underground labor.
The site is accessible via walking paths that connect different areas of the mine, allowing visitors to explore the buildings and structures from outside. Wear comfortable shoes and allow time to visit the various shafts and supporting structures at your own pace.
The head frame above Shaft 2 was the only one in the entire Ruhr region to be destroyed by aerial bombing during World War II. This rare fate makes the site an unusual witness to the region's wartime history.
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