Gazing at the streets of Velten, can you believe this town was once Germany’s stove manufacturing powerhouse? Velten is a town in the Oberhavel district of Brandenburg, Germany. It is located 10 km southwest of Oranienburg and 24 km northwest of Berlin.
Velten’s story is deeply rooted in its industrial past. Especially, its rise as a ceramic production center. The town’s transformation began in 1828. It was all thanks to local clay deposits. Johann Ackermann, a master mason, built the first stove tile factory in 1835.
By 1905, Velten had reached its economic peak. There were 38 stove factories. They churned out 100,000 tiled stoves for Berlin. The invention of white fused glaze made the “Veltener Kachel” globally known. The stoves and ceramics were in demand far beyond Berlin.
The population of Velten shows its industrial growth. Around 1772, only 257 people lived here. This number rose to about 500 by 1850. By 1874, it had increased fivefold to 2,300. At the beginning of the 20th century, 6,924 people lived here.
Velten also has some famous residents. Emma Ihrer, a trade unionist, lived here from 1887 to 1894. Erna Gersinski, a resistance fighter against Nazism, also lived in Velten.
Velten is called Ofenstadt. This name reflects the town’s history. The coat of arms shows a green tiled stove with a golden door. It has been in use since about 1920.
Today, Velten is still an important industrial location. It is part of the O-H-V Regional Growth Center. This promotes industries like rail transport technology and metal production. Velten offers more than just industry. Nature fans and adrenaline junkies can visit Bernsteinsee. The lake offers sandy beaches. Also, there is a water-skiing facility.
As you explore Velten, remember its story. It is a story of innovation. Also, it is a story of hard work. And it is a story of a small town that made a big impact on the world.