Salzlager, Kokerei Zollverein, Essen
Arendahls Wiese
Areal C, Gebäude 88
45141 EssenThe Zollverein coke oven plant was built between 1957 and 1961 in conjunction with the Zollverein Colliery. The plant was capable of producing around 7,500 tonnes of coke per day, from around 10,000 tonnes of coal. Although coke was the main product of the colliery, gas was also produced during the manufacturing process, from which byproducts such as ammonia, benzene and tar could be extracted. The ammonia was immediately processed further to produce ammonium sulphate, an inorganic salt. A striking building complex serves as a reminder of this branch of production, consisting in the ‘salt factory’, a ‘salt store’ and ‘salt loading bay’.
The coke oven plant was closed in 1993, and since 2000 has been protected by German heritage laws. Since 2001, together with the Zollverein colliery, it has been inscribed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites. Today, the Salzlager (salt store) functions as a museum for ‘The Palace of Projects’ an installation by Ilya and Emilia Kabakov, and is also used for temporary art and cultural events.