Herrmannschacht briquette factory - a jewel of industrial culture
As the oldest, originally preserved briquette factory in the world, the Herrmann shaft with the secrets of lignite processing. Originally built to supply the Zeitz sugar factory with cheap fuel, the Herrmannschacht briquette factory now presents itself as a museum, event location and wildly romantic photo backdrop.
Where the coal came from ...
The lignite forest nature trail created on the site allows you to take a leap back in time to the Cretaceous period, when lignite was created in central Germany. From extraction to further processing, you will finally continue as you follow the coal.
Experience tip
The Herrmannschacht briquette factory regularly participates in the "Days of Industrial Culture". Due to the proximity to Saxony, you should make a note of two dates. In September, the "Days of Industrial Culture Leipzig"takes place. In April, the "Days of Industrial Culture Saxony-Anhalt". Other special opening and event days inform the Recarbo experience region.
What else is there to see at the briquette factory?
Same place, different time. do you still remember a bath stove? In the stove exhibition, you will come across numerous stove treasures that are forgotten today, even though their use was not so long ago. From interesting to curious, there is a lot here and it certainly has recognition value!
For railway enthusiasts, historic locomotives await, but everyone else breathes in the atmosphere of real industrial history in the briquette factory.
Visiting hours
The Herrmannschacht briquette factory is run by a dedicated association who cover the visiting hours on a voluntary basis. At present, the museum is only open for guided tours. Please register in advance at info@herrmannschacht.de or by phone on 03441-228655.
Good luck!
Cycling to industrial culture
Alongside the Geiseltal, the Zeitz-Weißenfels lignite mining area was an important energy supplier in central Germany. The approximately 19 kilometre long Recarbo Coal Cycle Route from Zeitz to Hohenmölsen takes cyclists through the landscape shaped by mining, to industrial monuments and places of remembrance. The tour starts at the Herrmannschacht briquette factory museum in Zeitz.
The cycle tour continues via Luckenau to Deuben. By appointment, the Mining Museum in the village, which provides exciting insights into lignite mining below and above ground as well as into the refinement of the raw material. At the recreation park MondseeThe Recarbo Coal Cycle Route ends at the "Recarbo", which was created from an open-cast lignite mine. Here, modern walkways in the form of a labyrinth of hornbeam hedges recall the 15 villages that had to make way for the opencast mines.
Recarbo Coal Cycle Route
Route: 19 kilometres
Start: Zeitz
Destination: Hohenmölsen
Places of interest: Herrmannschacht Zeitz briquette factory, Deuben mining museum, Mondsee recreation park with walkways
