"Völklingen:Steel Works and City" Völklingen by christine.j

Völklingen Travel Guide: 20 reviews and 72 photos

Two Sides of a Coin

The old steel works, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site for Industrial Culture, a fascinating place, and on the other side the city of Völklingen, a dirty, run down city with a high unemployment rate.
Of course, there is a direct connection between the two statements, when the iron works was still a busy plant, some 17 000 people had a job there. Now, even with the interesting museum it has become, there are hardly any jobs left.

Update 2009:
I just added an off the beaten path tip about the museum of newspapers.

Völklingen:Steel Works and City - Völklingen

We had come to Völklingen to see the Duane Hanson exhibiton. Apart from Helsinki and Madrid, Völklingen is the only exhibtion site in Europe, something the city council doesn't seem to value. Most visitors are coming at a weekend, but the tourist information is closed on Saturday and Sunday.
The way from the iron works to the city takes you through an unpleasant area, dirty streets with lots of litter, graffiti, except for a few Dollar (or rather One Euro) stores and a Turkish market all stores had closed at 12 o'clock on the Saturday afternoon.
There are a few places which have been restored, but no signs leading to them.

The steel works plant, however, is one of the most interesting places I have ever been. The Duane Hanson exhibition was great, I really like his sculptures. If you don't know him, he makes lifelike sculptures of every day people, better than any wax figures. There was a lady at a fleemarket, reading a magazine, and I almost expected her to look up and ask me what I was interested in. This exhibition was the reason for our visit there, but I must admit, the plant itself was even more fascinating.This is really something very special, well worth a visit.

Pros and Cons

Pros:The old iron works
Cons:The city
In a nutshell:Skip the city but do go and visit the steel works

Last visit to Völklingen: May 2009
Intro Updated Sep 4, 2009
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Reviews (12)

Old newspapers, old scandals, old ads Off The Beaten Path (3)

Not far from Völklingen there is Wadgassen which is home of the German Museum for Newspapers - Deutsches Zeitungsmuseum.... more travel advice

Isn't it a beautiful building? - Völklingen

Völklingen- the city Things to Do (5)

I had been in Völklingen very often as a child and I remembered it as a busy city. It has certainly changed quite a lot!... more travel advice

Oranna Chapel Off The Beaten Path (3)

This close to France nobody would be surprised to find a chapel dedicated to a French saint. When we came to the Oranna... more travel advice

Éclairs to die for Shopping (1)

Well, maybe not to die for, but at least to forget all about the million calories éclairs have. We had been told about... more travel advice

Restaurants (1)
A Gourmet Restaurant
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Comments (7)

Maryimelda Dec 15, 2010 at 11:18 PM Report Abuse

What an interesting page Christine. I must say that the hard hat really suits you. Love your story of the two saints. As usual you tell a great story. Thanks for another great page.
Trekki Sep 6, 2009 at 3:54 AM Report Abuse

Hahaha, now that you helped me remembering my dialect - that's a funny and cute new tip :-))
scottishvisitor Jan 11, 2009 at 1:36 PM Report Abuse

Interesting text & pictures Christine :) look like this place has a lot of history
timada Sep 24, 2008 at 8:11 AM Report Abuse

Your page like a... school lesson ! Very nice Christine , it was time for a new visit .
Luchonda Nov 28, 2007 at 1:08 AM Report Abuse

Hi Christine, St-Nikolaus is coming soon, i hope, esp. for my grandchilds, still a funny fiest.
Ekaterinburg Nov 7, 2007 at 2:03 PM Report Abuse

I can't believe all the things I learned on this page - it's packed with interesting information. Loved the story of the Irish saints Oranna and Cyrilla but to my surprise, I liked the scientific stuff too. Well done on an unusual and fascinating page:))
robertgaz Nov 1, 2007 at 9:40 PM Report Abuse

There's a tree on level three; and now it grows in steel rust-y!