Berny's photos

Essen, Germany

Abandoned cement works (1857-1979) - Poland

Abandoned cement works (1857-1979) - Poland

This huge abandoned site was a Portland cement factory, founded in 1857. It later belonged to the Belgian Solvay group, which led the expansion of the plant until 1939. For a long time, a retaining pillar was maintained in the 1.8 m thick coal seam beneath the Cement Works. As a result of its exploitation, irreparable damage was done to the Cement Works facility, and in 1979 the production of the plant was suspended. The main part of the factory is formed now by 5 big silos, connected by a cement conveyor bridge, together with a cement elevator structure. The site is huge and offers dystopian views due to its very bad condition. Buildings are partly collapsed and look like after a bombing attack. Reinforced concrete structures are corroded and unstable. You have to take care of holes in the ground everywhere, climb over mountains of collapsed concrete structures and pay attention not to loose orientation. Summer season on a hot sunny day is not the right time to visit the location. Actually lush vegetation and the bright light are reducing the dark mood.

boiler hall - control panel

boiler hall

Control room of the abandoned power station, which is one of the oldest lignite-fired power plants in Europe that has been preserved in its original structure. The power plant was commissioned in 1927 and was in operation until 1992. The maximum output was 54 MW.

control room of an abandoned coal fired power station

control room

control room

HFF and a great weekend everyone!

steam turbine and generator - copper thieves destroyed the beautiful historic turbine It is one of the oldest lignite-fired power plants in Europe that has been preserved in its original structure. The power plant was commissioned in 1927 and was in operation until 1992. The maximum output was 54 MW with four turbines (8, 10, 16 and 20 MW). The image shows the 8 MW turboset.

steam turbine and generator

The two-housed Zoelly steam turbine of 8000 kW output, which was manufactured in 1926 at Waggon- und Maschinenbau AG Görlitz (WUMAG), is one of the last surviving examples of this design in Germany. The generator was made by Siemens-Schuckertwerke AG. The auxiliary turbine, cooling water and condensate pumps as well as display units are belonging to the turboset.