Once upon a time, where the Emscherpromenade winds, stood a vital link. Today, we stand before the Brückenkopf des Viadukts Schlackenbahn. These massive stone heads are all that remain of a bridge.
Let’s delve into the history of this monument. It speaks volumes about Dortmund’s industrial past. The Brückenkopf des Viadukts Schlackenbahn whispers tales of fiery furnaces. It echoes with the clatter of trains. It also carries the weight of molten slag.
Back in the late 19th century, Dortmund was booming. Steel production was at its peak. The Phoenix-West plant churned out vast amounts of slag. This byproduct needed a place to go. The Schallacker-Halde was full. A new dumping ground was needed. The Hympendahl-Halde was chosen.
To get the slag there, the Hympendahlbrücke was built. This bridge was part of the Schlackenbahn. The Brückenkopf des Viadukts Schlackenbahn that you see here are the bridgeheads. They supported a steel structure. It stretched across the valley.
Between 1891 and 1901, the Dortmunder Brückenbau C. H. Jucho constructed the Hympendahlbrücke. It stood 24 meters tall and 4.5 meters wide. Its design was in the neoromanesque style. This made it a striking feature in the industrial landscape.
The Eliasbahn, or slag railway, rumbled across the bridge. It transported slag from Phoenix-West and Hermannshütte to the Hympendahl-Halde. This continued until the 1950s. The steel midsection of the Hympendahlbrücke collapsed. Only the Brückenkopf des Viadukts Schlackenbahn survived.
For decades, these bridgeheads stood silent. They were witnesses to the changing times. The Phoenix-West plant closed. The area transformed. Today, the Phoenix See glistens nearby. The area has become a leisure area.
Now, a green space surrounds the Brückenkopf des Viadukts Schlackenbahn. A pond reflects its image. Pedestrians and cyclists pass by. The area connects Phoenix-West and Phoenix See.
The Brückenkopf des Viadukts Schlackenbahn serves as a reminder. It reminds us of Dortmund’s industrial heritage. It shows how a city can reinvent itself. It links the past with the present. The bridgeheads stand firm. They connect us to the area’s past. They invite contemplation. What was once a pathway for slag is now a path for reflection.