Voelklingen Ironworks is a 15-acre complex that dominates the city of Voelklingen in Germany. (Brian Ferguson/Stars and Stripes)
With its massive Industrial Revolution-era machines and science fiction movie set atmosphere, you would think that Voelklinger Huette was the birthplace of the steampunk trend.
Classified as a World Cultural Heritage Site, the ironworks was the first monument from the era to be included on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
When I asked my 9-year-old daughter if she wanted to come along, she said sure, even though I had no idea what we would see.
The site has just reopened after closing due to coronavirus measures. They require visitors to make reservations online and have either a negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination before entering.
The "Crown of the Mother of God," made by Christoph Weis with gold, silver, precious stones and pearls in 1951, is on display at Voelklingen Ironworks in Voelklingen, Germany. (Brian Ferguson/Stars and Stripes)
An image of an iron worker is projected onto the wall at Voelklingen Ironworks in Voelklingen, Germany. (Brian Ferguson/Stars and Stripes)
Hundreds of numbered metal boxes create a floor-to-ceiling hallway at Voelklingen Ironworks in Voelklingen, Germany. (Brian Ferguson/Stars and Stripes)
Monorail cars were used to fill the six blast furnaces with raw materials at Voelklingen Ironworks in Voelklingen, Germany. (Brian Ferguson/Stars and Stripes)
Steel helmets from WWI can be seen at Voelklingen Ironworks in Voelklingen, Germany. (Brian Ferguson/Stars and Stripes)
The bones in a burial of horses display at Voelklingen Ironworks in Voelklingen, Germany, date back to 660 A.D. (Brian Ferguson/Stars and Stripes)
The Blower Hall at Voelklingen Ironworks in Voelklingen, Germany. (Brian Ferguson/Stars and Stripes)
Tons of iron machinery is displayed in the Blower Hall at Voelklingen Ironworks in Voelklingen, Germany. (Brian Ferguson/Stars and Stripes)
Standing about 20 feet tall, the Gollenstein, the region's largest menhir, or upright standing stone, is displayed at Voelklingen Ironworks in Voelklingen, Germany. (Brian Ferguson/Stars and Stripes)
We arrived at the enormous plant after just over an hour drive west of Kaiserslautern.
The first room visitors enter is the Blower Hall, where huge generators made compressed air for the blast furnaces. Artifacts and images depicting life in the ironworks adorn the hall.
From there, we explored the almost 15-acre complex that dominates the city of Voelklingen. Walkways and bridges lead you through a maze of corridors and rooms, each more interesting than the next. It becomes easy to imagine the immense heat generated by the ore and machines, and how workers must have felt in that environment.
If you want to brave the site without a map, like we did, good luck. We got lost at least three times. I would suggest one of the English maps available at the entrance.
There are seven distinct regions in the factory. Next time I’ll use the map because we missed the science center, which my daughter would have enjoyed.
The site is also open to the arts and is currently featuring an exhibit called Mon Tresor, or My Treasure, with items from around Europe.
The ironworks combines industry with technology, art and culture; there are regular theater and concert performances there. It’s the most entertaining museum I have ever visited, my daughter loved it and this place would make a great location for the ultimate game of hide and seek.
ferguson.brian@stripes.com; Twitter: @BrianFerg57
Location: Rathausstrasse 75-79, 66333 Voelklingen, Saarland. Google maps leads you to the parking area.
Cost: 17 euros per adult; free for 18 and under, or 27 and under with student ID. Tickets available online.
Times: Daily 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Information: Phone 06898-910-0100; Online: voelklinger-huette.org
