Zeche HR, Germany

Zeche HR was a mine in Germany with an amazing bathhouse full of baskets, and features a huge hammerhead winding tower. There's also an elephant!

Visited May 2019

Rhineland, Germany Disused, Abandoned

The mine was opened in 1901 when the first shaft was sunk, and a second shaft added in 1923 in order to meet the ever increasing demand for coal in this region of Germany. Like many mines and steelworks of the time, the site was built and operated by the De Wendel family. The Germans took ownership of the mine during the world wars, the French owners being opponents in both. Much expansion including the enlargement of the power house took place during the Second World War under the direction of the Third Reich, a time when coal was in high demand. Ownership was returned to the De Wendels after both wars, and was eventually sold to RAG, Germany’s largest mining company.

Zeche HR - the original headstock and newer winding tower — Zeche HR – the original headstock and newer winding tower

Further construction took place around the site during the 1950s, including the addition of the hammerhead winding tower, the most recognisable feature of the mine.

At its peak, the mine was producing 9,000 tons of coal per day and was merged with the underground workings of several other collieries. However requirements for coal were dropping, the ageing mine was becoming inefficient, and uneconomical. This combined with environmental factors was responsible for the closure of the colliery in 2010.

The Hammerhead Winding Tower

The steel-framed and brick-clad winding tower was constructed in 1955, replacing the original headframe above the no. 1 shaft, which was previously used only for man-access. The tower allowed the shaft to be used for production as well, increasing the mines output.

Zeche HR - Overview of the winders at the top of the tower — Zeche HR – Overview of the winders at the top of the tower

Zeche HR - The huge winding wheels — Zeche HR – The huge winding wheels

Zeche HR - Note the huge braking mechanism on the right — Zeche HR – Note the huge braking mechanism on the right

Zeche HR - View behind the winders — Zeche HR – View behind the winders

Zeche HR - Inside one of the operator cabins — Zeche HR – Inside one of the operator cabins

Zeche HR - Operator controls in the cabin — Zeche HR – Operator controls in the cabin

Administration Building

The admin building was were workers would get paid their wages and visitors such as business people could be met. The entrance features a large hall, as was common in German mining facilities.

Zeche HR - Exterior of the admin building — Zeche HR – Exterior of the admin building

Zeche HR - The entrance hall of the admin block — Zeche HR – The entrance hall of the admin block

Zeche HR - The entrance hall viewed from upper level — Zeche HR – The entrance hall viewed from upper level

Zeche HR - Lobby and staircase in the admin block — Zeche HR – Lobby and staircase in the admin block

Zeche HR - Upstairs was slightly less nicely decorated — Zeche HR – Upstairs was slightly less nicely decorated

Zeche HR - Stained glass windows on the staircase — Zeche HR – Stained glass windows on the staircase

Zeche HR - Corridor with windows where wages would be collected — Zeche HR – Corridor with windows where wages would be collected

Zeche HR - The other side where the wages clerks would sit — Zeche HR – The other side where the wages clerks would sit

Zeche HR - Admin managers desk — Zeche HR – Admin managers desk

The Bathhouse – Baskets and Showers

The bathhouse was where the miners would get changed before and after their shift, could have a shower, and store their belongings while they were down the mine. The baskets allowed a secure way of doing this, as their clothes and personal affects could be placed into them, and then hoisted up the ceiling, out of reach, then the chain hoist secured with a lock.

Zeche HR - The basket room in the bathhouse — Zeche HR – The basket room in the bathhouse

Zeche HR - Looking the opposite way down the basket room — Zeche HR – Looking the opposite way down the basket room

Zeche HR - Baskets and changing benches — Zeche HR – Baskets and changing benches

Zeche HR - View through the sea of baskets — Zeche HR – View through the sea of baskets

Zeche HR - Looking up at some of the suspended baskets — Zeche HR – Looking up at some of the suspended baskets

Zeche HR - The lower floor was dedicated to showering facilities — Zeche HR – The lower floor was dedicated to showering facilities

Zeche HR - An interestingly painted elephant was stood in a basket room — Zeche HR – An interestingly painted elephant was stood in a basket room

Zeche HR - A small locker area to one side — Zeche HR – A small locker area to one side

Zeche HR - There were also some smaller, more private basket rooms — Zeche HR – There were also some smaller, more private basket rooms

Zeche HR - A nicely tiled corridor with a clock linked the basket rooms — Zeche HR – A nicely tiled corridor with a clock linked the basket rooms

Lamp Room

The lamp room was where miners lamps were stored and recharged between shifts. The lamps have been removed, but the charging racks remain.

Zeche HR - Lamp recharging racks — Zeche HR – Lamp recharging racks

Zeche HR - Rack power supply transformer — Zeche HR – Rack power supply transformer

Power House

The mine had an unusually large power station, which in its time would have been capable of producing much more electricity than the mine required. The excess electricity was fed into the public grid. Most of the generating equipment has since been removed.