Alte Ziegelei

Could a brick tell tales? Here at the Alte Ziegelei, or Old Brickyard, they whisper stories of Düsseldorf’s past. The Alte Ziegelei, specifically the Ringofen Sassen, isn’t just a relic. It’s a survivor, the last witness to a bygone era. Imagine Düsseldorf in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The city was booming, fueled by a voracious need for bricks. A ring of brickyards encircled Düsseldorf, churning out the building blocks of a growing metropolis. The Alte Ziegelei played a key role in this industrial symphony. This very spot, near the intersection of Ratinger Weg and Bergische Landstraße, was once a hive of activity. Eight brickyards operated within a square kilometer, their 17 chimneys painting the sky with smoke. The landscape was a dramatic mix of industry and nature, a far cry from the tranquil area we see today. The Ringofen Sassen, built in 1896 by Peter Lennartz and Jakob Piel, stands as a testament to this period. With its 18 firing chambers, it could produce an astounding twelve million bricks a year. In 1912, ownership passed to Ludwig Sassen, whose name became synonymous with the brickyard. The Alte Ziegelei witnessed Düsseldorf’s architectural evolution, from the brick fortifications of the 17th century to the “Düsseldorf Brick Expressionism” of the 1920s. It saw the rise and fall of the brick industry, finally succumbing to the modern materials of glass, steel, and concrete in the late 20th century. The brickyard closed in the early 1970s, and the area fell into disrepair. The once-proud Ringofen Sassen faced demolition, its historical significance almost lost. But like a resilient brick in a crumbling wall, it held on. Thanks to the efforts of the FKI (Förderkreis Industriekultur e.V.), the northern segment and central section, including the iconic chimney stump, were saved. Today, the Alte Ziegelei stands not just as a monument to brickmaking, but as a symbol of Düsseldorf’s growth and transformation. It’s a reminder that even in the heart of a modern city, the echoes of the past can still be heard.