St. Antony-Hütte

A visit to the St. Antony-Hütte promises pure suspense. For if looked at more closely the development of the ironworks turns out to be a fascinating business crime thriller with enigmatic characters even including all sorts of rascals and crooks. Fraud, violence and power politics and not least the precarious role of the church provide the subject matter from which the drama of the first ironworks in the mining area evolved.

Protagonists without whom the Ruhr region would not have become what is today lived and worked at the ironworks: Jacobi, Haniel, Krupp, Wenge – they are all important personalities in the heavy industry sector. The ironworks is not only the birthplace of industry on the Ruhr but also the cradle of the Gutehoffnungshütte (GHH) subsequently a global company and consequently also of MAN, which today produces state-of-the-art lorries and buses, ship’s motors and turbines for the world market.

The playground next to the museum also makes an excursion to the St. Antony-Hütte (ironworks) an experience for young guests. The central attraction is a ten metre high tower which is based on a furnace – with slide, climbing frames, rope ladders, sloping ascent and tube telephones. Each creative play element illustrates a process inside the furnace to familiarise children with industrial history through play.

A large meadow alongside the playground is ideal to rest or enjoy a picnic.