A unique ensemble of five gas compressors makes the machine hall the jewel of the Hansa coking plant
Stiftung Industriedenkmalpflege und Geschichtskultur, Klaus-Peter Schneider, A unique ensemble of five gas compressors makes the machine hall the jewel of the Hansa coking plant

Hansa coking plant

Dortmund

Dortmund-Huckarde is home to a relic from the past that offers fascinating insights into the history of heavy industry in the last century: The Hansa coking plant is one of the anchor points of the Route of Industrial Heritage, which links the most important industrial monuments in the Ruhr region. The coking plant is now a listed building and invites visitors on an exciting excursion into the history of that time.

The Hansa coking plant was put into operation in 1928 as a large coking plant in the Dortmund area. Until 1992, coke and coke oven gas were produced here from hard coal from neighboring mines and important raw materials for the chemical industry were extracted.

Insights into the past

Today, the old industrial plant can be visited on a walk along the "Nature and Technology Adventure Trail": The trail first leads up to the coal tower with the best view of the surrounding area, then back down to the oven batteries, where hard coal was once "baked" into coke at over 1000 degrees Celsius.

Finally, visitors enter the machine hall, which, with its unique ensemble of five gas compressors, is considered the jewel of the plant.

Wild nature and climbing hall

Nature has reclaimed its place on the outside grounds of the Hansa coking plant in the years since it was shut down: wild plants and vegetation, including exotic flora and fauna, have settled here. Visitors can not only admire the special architecture of the coking plant and enjoy an educational museum visit, but also relax in nature afterwards. The coking plant site is also ideal for sporting activities: The coking plant's old turbo-compressor building has been converted into a large climbing hall.

The Monument Preservation Foundation regularly offers open guided tours at weekends and on public holidays. There is also an extra voyage of discovery for children: Karlchen the coke crumb takes young visitors on a child-friendly tour of the coking plant.

www.industriedenkmal-stiftung.de

Opening hours:
April - October: Tuesday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
November - March: Tuesday - Sunday: 10.00 - 16.00

Important information about accessibility: certificates

  • "Reisen für Alle" (“Travel for All”) is a nationwide, uniform labeling system for barrier-free travel. It offers reliable information on the accessibility of tourist offerings, such as hotels, attractions and means of transport. Providers who allow themselves to be labeled are checked for accessibility by specially trained surveyors. The results are published in detailed test reports so that travelers with disabilities know exactly which offers are suitable for their needs.
    Verified information
  • All areas relevant for testing fulfil the quality criteria of the label "Accessibility tested - partially barrier-free for people with walking disabilities".

    Some information on accessibility are listed below. Detailed information can be found in the test report at the end of the text.

    • There is a general car park. A parking space is marked for people with disabilities (distance to the entrance: 20 m, parking space size: 400 cm x 500 cm).
    • The path from the parking space to the entrance is easy to walk and drive on due to the surface quality.
    • The cash desk is 120 cm high. 
    • All public doors and passageways are at least 90 cm wide (exception: door to the entrance area with 87 cm width).
    • In all the evaluated exhibition rooms, the exhibits and the corresponding information are mainly visible and legible from a sitting position.
    • The entrance to the compressor hall can be reached via a 9 m long ramp with a gradient of 6%. The running width is 92 cm. Handrails are present on both sides.
    • The outdoor paths are easy to walk and drive on due to their surface quality.
    • Guided tours for people with walking disabilities and wheelchair users are offered. Please book in advance. Seating is available. The entire route is steplessly accessible for wheelchair users.

    Public toilet for people with disabilities on the ground floor

    • The maneuvering spaces in the toilet are as follows:
      in front of/behind the door 220 cm x 130 cm, in front of the toilet and washbasin at least 150 cm x 150 cm;
      to the left of the toilet 26 cm x 71 cm, to the right 170 cm x 71 cm.
    • There are handles which can be folded up on both sides of the toilet.
    • The washbasin is wheelchair accessible and the mirror can be seen while standing and sitting.
    • An alarm trigger (cord) is present.
    Detailed information for people with walking difficulties and wheelchair users
  • Some information on accessibility are listed below. Detailed information can be found in the test report at the end of the text.

    • There is no alarm.
    • There is no audio induction loop.
    • In the exhibition rooms information about the exhibits is conveyed acoustically, but not provided in written form.
    • There are no guided tours offered for people with hearing disabilities and deaf people.
    Detailed information for people with hearing impairments and hearing loss
  • Some information on accessibility are listed below. Detailed information can be found in the test report at the end of the text.

    • Assistance dogs are allowed.
    • The entrance area is visually contrasted to the surrounding area, but not recognizable by a tactile change of floor covering.
    • There are no carousel or revolving doors.
    • In the exhibition rooms, the well-lit exhibits contrast visually with their surroundings. Information is conveyed acoustically. An audio guide is available to convey information.
    • Essential "paths" in the exhibition rooms are designed to be visually rich in contrast almost everywhere and can be detected tactilely. The walls can be used as an orientation guideline. There are no floor indicators.
    • Rooms and corridors are brightly lit.
    • Control elements can be detected tactilely throughout the entire building and are visually rich in contrast.
    • Signs are available in easily legible font, but not in Braille or prismatic writing.
    • Guided tours are offered for visually impaired and blind people. Exhibits for touching are integrated in the exhibition. Please book in advance.
    Detailed information for people with visual impairments and the blind
  • Some information on accessibility are listed below. Detailed information can be found in the test report at the end of the text.

    • The name and logo of the company are clearly recognizable from the outside.
    • In the exhibition rooms, information on the exhibits is not displayed in photorealistic form.
    • Information is not represented by pictograms.
    • The destinations of the paths are usually within sight. There is an uninterrupted guidance system.
    • Guided tours for people with cognitive impairments are offered in easy language. Please book in advance.
    Detailed information for people with walking difficulties and wheelchair users

Important information at a glance

  • Open today
    Tuesday10:00 - 18:00
    Wednesday10:00 - 18:00
    Thursday10:00 - 18:00
    Friday10:00 - 18:00
    Saturday10:00 - 18:00
    Sunday10:00 - 18:00

And what else?This could also be interesting

  • The Dortmunder U is considered a cultural beacon for the Ruhr region and North Rhine-Westphalia
    Hannes Woidich, The Dortmunder U is considered a cultural beacon for the Ruhr region and North Rhine-Westphalia
    Dortmund U
    Dortmund
    Open today
    As a model project and landmark, the Dortmunder U is a synonym for living solidarity with one's homeland in times of change.
    Learn more
  • Exterior view of the German Football Museum Dortmund - directly at the main station
    Deutsches Fußballmuseum Dortmund, Exterior view of the German Football Museum Dortmund - directly at the main station
    German Football Museum in Dortmund
    Dortmund
    Open today
    It's not just about titles, goals and triumphs. The museum is dedicated to the darker sides as well as the international aspects of grassroots sport. Stars are just as much the focus as the multifaceted fan culture and reporters' voices from various media channels.
    Learn more
  • showroom: comic + cartoon
    Dortmund
    Open today
    Learn more
New tips every two months

Insider tips & excursion ideasNewsletter

Fancy some mail? Then subscribe here to our every two months newsletter with information on special travel offers, selected short tips for short trips and other insider tips for travelling in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Click here to register