Altes Elektrizitätswerk

The Altes Elektrizitätswerk Cottbus is an industrial building made of brick with neo-Gothic elements and green-glazed stones arranged in three parallel structures. The building parts vary in height and surround an inner courtyard, with the machine hall standing out as the most prominent section.

The plant was built in 1902 and 1903 by Siemens & Halske according to Richard Bachmann's design and initially supplied electricity to Cottbus trams and homes. The facility was erected on the site of two mills that were destroyed by fire in 1882.

The building shows how the city shifted from water power to electrical supply in the late 1800s. You can see from its solid construction and green-glazed bricks that electricity was then considered something important and modern.

The renovated building is easy to see from the outside and its architecture remains clearly recognizable since it was not completely rebuilt. Visitors should note that it now houses offices and residences, which may limit access to the interior.

The plant was built after a major fire in 1882 destroyed the previous mills and prompted the city to embrace modern electricity. This accident marked a turning point in Cottbus's infrastructure history.