Like a medieval castle tower, the winding tower of the Hannover Coal Mine soars into the sky. It is a landmark visible from afar in northern Bochum.
Even people at the time were impressed by its imposing architecture. The centerpiece inside the machine hall is the steam hoisting engine from 1893. It is the oldest example that has been preserved at its original location in the Ruhr region. During demonstrations, this technological dinosaur is set in motion. The atmosphere of hard work permeates the interior of the massive Malakow Tower, built in 1857. This is where the miners descended into the 750-meter-deep shaft, and where the coal was brought to the surface—until the Hannover Coal Mine closed in 1973 as Bochum’s last operating mine.
For several years now, the Hannover Coal Mine has been promoting culture instead of coal. Special exhibitions and events—from the large Steam Festival to a boules tournament—draw visitors to the industrial museum during the summer months. The main attraction for young visitors is the “Zeche Knirps” children’s mine. Here, girls and boys can learn about the day-to-day operations of a mine in a playful way.
The museum includes three workers’ houses with gardens designed in the style typical of the era.
