Zeche Carl

Industrial Heritage Trail

Zeche Carl (Carl Mine) is a cultural centre set up by Essen Council in a former coal mine.

The engine tower of the Carl Mine, Essen

History

The mine was founded by the Hercules Company in Altenessen in 1855. It should not be confused with the Hercules mine in central Essen. They sank a shaft equipped with a large-sized Malakow engine with two wings. The mine went operational in 1861. That same year Hercules was acquired in the same year by the Cologne Mining Association under Friedrich Grillo, and was renamed the Zeche Carl.

The mine was soon to develop as it produced high quality Anthracite suitable for producing coke. From 1883, it simply produced Carl Coke. An additional ventilation shaft was drilled from 1885 to 1887.

In 1899 was placed the Malakow engine was upgraded double promotion. The production was increased to 300,000 tonnes a year.

After the First World War, the Cologne Mining Association was taken over by Hoesch AG. Coal production was discontinued in 1929. The main shaft was dismantled and the ventilation shaft used for Zeche Emil Emscher. The ventilation shaft was in turn abandoned in 1955, and in 1970 all other colliery work at the site was brought to a close.

It is one of the sites included in the Ruhr Industrial Heritage Trail

Contemporary Use

The Inchtabokatables in concert at Zeche Carl (2001)

In 1977, at the initiative of various citizens, youth and the local protestant church Initiative Center Zeche Carl eV was established to run the former colliery as a Cultural Centre. The entire group of buildings are now being conserved.

The reconstructed building has developed as a pan-regional cultural centre offering a diverse programme of concerts, parties, classes, readings, exhibitions workshops etc. It also provides space for other community groups, including Offene Kanal Essen, a public television station.

As a Rock venue, Zeche Carl has hosted such bands as Sodom who recorded (Marooned Live) there.

Following financial problems with the original association, Carl Gmbh was set up as nonprofit organisation, and is headed by Kornelia Vossebein.

References

• Wilhelm Hermann, Gertrude Hermann: Die alten Zechen an der Ruhr 6. erweiterte und aktualisierte Auflage, Verlag Karl Robert Langewiesche, Nachfolger Hans Köster KG, Königstein i. Taunus, 2006, ISBN 3784569943
• Kulturzentrum Zeche Carl, The Industrial Heritage Trail