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Europe Germany Saarbrücken Do & See Völklinger Ironworks

Overview

Völklinger Ironworks

The guide was updated: 2023-10-27

Völklinger Hütte, one of the world's largest iron works spreading across six hectares, was established in 1873, and has remained remarkably intact during its operation spanning the next hundred years. Today, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it functions as a museum and science centre, offering interesting insight into the industry's history.

Useful Information

Address: Rathausstraße 75–79, Völklingen
Opening hours: March to October: 10.00–19.00, November to April: 10.00–18.00 daily
Website: www.voelklinger-huette.org/willkommen
Public Transport: 10 minutes by train from Saarbrücken, www.saarvv.de
Phone: +49 6898 9100 100
Email: visit@voelklinger-huette.org

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Purchase

Saarbrücken Castle

Saarbrücken Castle

This Baroque castle is undoubtedly the most prominent landmark of Saarbrücken. First mentions of a "Castellum Sarabrucca" date back to medieval times, but the city had seen several attacks and revivals until the building reached its current imposing presence. Today, it is home to various cultural events and the Invisible Jewish Memorial, made up of cobblestones engraved with cemeteries from all across Germany.

St. Johanner Markt

St. Johanner Markt

Get a taste of local life at the city's most popular gathering venue, and take a stroll along the narrow alleyways lined with myriad cafés and restaurants. The fountain in the middle of the square was designed by Friedrich Joachim Stengel, and together with Ludwig's Church and the Castle, it forms what is called the Stengel triangle. You'll also find Fröschengasse here, formerly a workers' district with Baroque-style houses.

Basilika St. Johann

Basilika St. Johann

This 18th-century Baroque Catholic church had undergone destruction and renovation several times throughout its history; today it is renowned for its exceptional, three-part organ system, and is a dominant element on the Saarbrücken's cityscape.

State Park (Bürgerpark)

State Park (Bürgerpark)

Formerly a coal port, the city's central park has developed into locals' favourite outdoor spot since the 1980s, proudly holding a Landscape Architecture Prize for the design by Peter Latz. It has a photographable open-air stage, a pond, skate park, and plenty of paths for a stroll along the Saar river. It neighbours on the movie theatre CineStar, among other attractions.

Town Hall (Rathaus St. Johann)

Town Hall (Rathaus St. Johann)

Saarbrücken has plenty to offer to the lovers of architecture, and one unmissable landmark is the city's town hall, built at the turn of the 20th century in neo-Gothic style and designed by Georg Von Hauberrisser, whose works also include the town hall in Munich.

Moderne Gallerie

Moderne Gallerie

A contemporary museum embracing a wide range of German and French art from Impressionism until present-day works. The park of the museum houses a sculpture garden.

Ludwig's Church (Ludwigskirche)

Ludwig's Church (Ludwigskirche)

This imposing Lutheran church was constructed in the 1770s, and is another dominant element of the Baroque-style works of F. J. Stengel, having earned just as much recognition as the Frauenkirche in Dresden or the St. Michael's Church in Hamburg.

St. John's Church (Johanneskirsche)

St. John's Church (Johanneskirsche)

This 18th-century Evangelical church is a neo-Gothic addition to Saarbrücken's diverse architectural scene. The surrounding square is also a major gathering point.

Franco-German Gardens (DFG)

Franco-German Gardens (DFG)

This 50-hectare park was established to celebrate French-German relations, and has several jogging trails, a funicular and narrow-gauge railway, blossoming flowerbeds, a pond, catering services, and holds plenty of events and markets throughout the year.

Saarland State Theater

Saarland State Theater

Saarland's cultural centre holds a diverse range of performances from opera to ballet productions, and neighbours on a nice verdant park with trees lining the Saar river.

Historisches Museum Saar

Historisches Museum Saar

Saarbrücken's history museum, neighbouring on the Saarbrücken Castle, presents the turbulent history of the French-German border area with special emphasis on the era following the Franco-Prussian war of 1870–71, through various permanent and temporary exhibitions.

Calypso Wellnessparadise

Calypso Wellnessparadise

A true water paradise equipped with several indoor, outdoor pools, and water slides, also offering aqua fitness lessons, wellness programmes, and many more to entertain the whole family. Don't forget to try the Stollensauna, a sauna grotto evoking the region's mining history.

Saarbrücken Zoo

Saarbrücken Zoo

Saarbrücken Zoo is home to more than a thousand animals, and provides fun and interactive programmes to introduce them all to you. Join the penguin and seal feeding, or even stay for the night for some bat spotting!

Saar Alpaka Farm

Saar Alpaka Farm

Home to an ever-growing number of llamas, alpacas, and donkeys, Saar Alpaka Farm offers visitors fun and educative tours, unique worldwide in that you might even get to cross the border with this adorable family.

Völklinger Ironworks

Völklinger Ironworks

Völklinger Hütte, one of the world's largest iron works spreading across six hectares, was established in 1873, and has remained remarkably intact during its operation spanning the next hundred years. Today, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it functions as a museum and science centre, offering interesting insight into the industry's history.

Mettlach

Mettlach

There are several interesting landmarks in Mettlach that make this small town worthy of a day trip: its 19th-century Old Abbey is the headquarters of ceramics manufacturer Villeroy & Boch; there is also a visitor centre, while nature lovers can admire the beauty of Saarschleife, a spectacular bend of the Saar river just a few kilometres from the city.

Roman Villa Borg (in Perl)

Roman Villa Borg (in Perl)

Travel back to ancient times at this renovated Roman-age villa, discovered only recently in the 19th century. It houses an archaeological museum, and has well-tended rose and herb gardens. Special programmes like donkey tours and overnight stays can be organised here too.

Trier

Trier

Germany's oldest city is pure history: it boasts eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, many dating back to the Roman age. The Porta Nigra and the Cathedral, Germany's oldest, are just a few of the rich heritage of what is also called the "Rome of the North". Trier is also noted as the birthplace of Karl Marx, with a museum paying homage to the great thinker's life and work.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg

The small, romantic capital of the world's only grand duchy makes for a perfect weekend getaway. Take a stroll along panoramic Chemin de la Corniche, and be sure to visit the Grand Ducal Palace, the tunnels of Bock Casemates, and the vast art collection of MUDAM.

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