New Urban Relics
februari 13, 2026
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After the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) and the establishment of the German Empire, Germany experienced a period of economic prosperity. In the aftermath of the Industrial Revolution, new, modern techniques led to increased and improved production. The pottery industry was also forced to abandon its artisanal status and embrace the industrial variant.
In this region, known for its rich clay subsoil, a centuries-old tradition of pottery had already existed. The presence of local clay warehouses and the many skilled potters were therefore a decisive factor for a dozen entrepreneurs, who together established a new pottery factory in this city. Construction began in 1909, and by May 1910, the new factory was ready for production. The range included a variety of everyday products, such as cups and saucers, bowls, hot water bottles, and decorative pottery. The factory not only had a large local clientele but also exported to several neighboring countries, including Belgium and Denmark.
Like many other businesses, this factory experienced a significant downturn during World War II, but production returned to full capacity in 1946. The factory reached its peak in the early 1950s with 115 employees. In the mid-1960s, it merged with another pottery factory, but fierce competition from cheaper imports from countries like China could not be averted. In 1996, the company was forced to close its operation and declare bankruptcy. The buildings quickly began to deteriorate, exacerbated by the flooding of a nearby river in the summer of 2002. Today, the factory is a mere shadow of its former self. Parts of the buildings have collapsed, and the factory ruins have also been vandalized by local youths. Nevertheless, the site still offers a beautiful glimpse of the former industrial pottery, thanks in part to the fact that much of the inventory remains in the old buildings.
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