Social Event: Guided Tours at Zeche Zollverein

We are excited to welcome you to INREC 2025 in Essen and look forward to making your visit both enriching and enjoyable. On Tuesday, 26 August 2025 we’ll be offering three simultaneous guided tours at the UNESCO World Heritage site Zollverein between 16:45–17:45, 

Tour Options

1. “Über Kohle und Kumpel” (“Coal and the Miners”) (English guide, up to 20 participants)
Follow the “path of coal” through the former coal mine. Starting at the shaft hall where coal once arrived, you’ll visit the Wipper hall, screening plant, and workshops to learn about the production processes of what was once the world’s largest and most powerful hard-coal mine. Along the way, discover the working and living conditions of Zollverein miners, and gain insight into the site’s architecture, its transformation from industrial powerhouse to modern cultural landmark, and the surrounding natural landscape. 

2. “Grubenlicht und Wetterzug” (“Mining Light and Hazardous Airflow”) (German guide, up to 20 participants)
Experience the new underground exhibition without actually going below ground. Through original objects, installations, and large-scale film projections, this tour reveals how coal was extracted and what conditions miners faced in the “pit operation.” You’ll learn about the risks, challenges, and innovations that five generations of Zollverein miners encountered in their daily work underground.

3. “Kohlenwäsche mit Ausblick” (“Coal Washing with a View”) (English guide, up to 20 participants)
Explore the original coal-washing plant, the largest building on the Zollverein site—and continue along the second stretch of the “path of coal.” Learn how raw coal was separated from rock and classified into different grades before leaving the mine. The tour begins with a panoramic overview of the entire heritage site from the rooftop at 45 meters high, offering sweeping views of the Ruhr skyline. Then, using interactive visualizations on the massive machinery, you’ll see exactly how each component once operated within the monumental coal-washing system.