All tours in Oberhausen

Oberhausen

Shadows of the Steelworks: The Eisenheim Experiment

4.2 km116 min5 stops

What awaits you on this Red Thread tour

Step into the Ruhr's oldest worker colony and uncover the hidden cost of a 'perfect' community. On this immersive journey through Siedlung Eisenheim, you will explore the fascinating duality of 19th-century industrial paternalism. Discover how innovative architecture, subsistence gardens, and even pigeon racing were meticulously designed to control, sustain, and pacify the working class—and how those very workers eventually rose up to reclaim their homes and their history.

Itinerary

1

TOUR START

Fichtestraße Kreuzhäuser

The oldest surviving house type from 1846, showcasing cramped but innovative living conditions.

3.73 km • 57 min
During your walk

Interlude

A deep dive into the ideology of the Gutehoffnungshütte and their vision of the perfect worker.

2

STOP 2

LVR-Industriemuseum Museum Eisenheim

The former washhouse, now a museum, highlighting communal hygiene and the 1970s grassroots protest.

LVR-Industriemuseum Museum Eisenheim

Image by Smial on Wikimedia Commons (FAL)

0.23 km • 4 min
3

STOP 3

Werrastraße Gardens & Sheds

Backyard gardens and sheds revealing the necessity of self-sufficiency and the 'Bergmannskuh'.

Werrastraße Gardens & Sheds

Image by Grischo on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.12 km • 2 min
4

STOP 4

Eisenheimstraße School Area

The site of the company school, where education was used to shape obedient future workers.

Eisenheimstraße School Area

Image by Grischo on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.10 km • 1 min
5

END

Taubenschlag at the Allotments

The pigeon lofts representing the workers' emotional escape and the fight to preserve their community.

Where the tour takes place

Starting point and rough tour area – the exact route unfolds in the app.

Good to know

  • Ideal for History buffs, architecture enthusiasts, sociologists, and urban explorers fascinated by the hidden human stories behind industrialization.
  • Best time Late afternoon, when the golden hour light hits the historic brickwork and the allotment gardens feel most alive.
  • What to bring Comfortable walking shoes are a must for the cobblestones and garden paths.
  • Museum Visit Check the LVR-Industriemuseum opening hours in advance if you wish to see the interiors.
  • Pacing Take your time in the garden areas; the details are in the weathered sheds.
  • Weather Bring an umbrella if it looks cloudy, as there is little shelter between stops.
  • Photography The Kreuzhäuser brickwork looks spectacular in the late afternoon sun.
  • Your voucher You can redeem your voucher for two years from purchase. Once redeemed, you have 14 days of access and can enjoy the tour as often as you like during that time.

Your guide

Max Krämer
Audio sample
0:000:00

Max Krämer

  • History & Memory
  • Northern Germany

Historian with a passion for urban places of remembrance. Has worked in archives and museums for years; shows the traces of revolutions, monuments, and colonial pasts in today's streets.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the tour after buying?

You see your voucher code right after payment – and you also receive it at the email address you entered at checkout. Redeem that code in the Red Thread app; that's where the tour starts.

When does my access start?

Only when you redeem the code in the app, not at purchase. From redemption you have 14 days of access to the tour.

Do I need the Red Thread app?

Yes. The free Red Thread app turns your tour into a vivid experience: with audio, a map, and thoughtful prompts, it guides you from place to place in an engaging and entertaining way. It's available free for iOS and Android.

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