Kokerei Hansa, Industrial heritage complex in Dortmund, Germany
Kokerei Hansa is a former coking plant in Dortmund with brick ovens, compressors, and storage facilities spread across a large industrial site. The layout reveals different stages of the production process, with the main buildings and equipment still standing where they once operated.
The facility opened in 1928 as a central coking plant to supply the steel industry in the region. It shut down in 1992 when steel production declined and the industry went through major changes.
The compression hall now serves as a venue for concerts and art shows, creating a contrast between its industrial past and present cultural use. Former workers guide visitors through the site, sharing stories about what daily work looked like in this world.
The site can be explored on foot, though some areas require climbing stairs or walking on uneven ground, so sturdy shoes are a good idea. Guided tours are available for detailed explanations, but you can also walk around independently.
The site is intentionally divided into two zones, with one area handling raw materials and the other processing chemical byproducts and gases. This separation reveals how carefully the production had to be organized to work safely.
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