The old Friedrich Heinrich settlement tells the fascinating story of early industrialization in the Rhineland. Originally named after the industrialist Friedrich Heinrich von Diergardt, the mine was sold by his heirs to a French group of builders who began sinking in 1907. This mine remained in French hands until 1970, before it became the property of Ruhrkohle AG.
In 1909, one of the largest mining colonies was built in the middle of the "green field". The housing estate had to quickly find solutions for the urgently needed living space for the workers. An architectural masterpiece developed over several construction phases up until the 1930s. The oldest houses between Ringstrasse, Albertstrasse and Ebertstrasse are characterized by their large plots of land and design diversity. A few house types were individualized with sophisticated architectural features such as bay windows, different roof shapes and cladding so that two identical houses did not stand next to each other, which created a remarkable visual diversity on around 76 hectares.
The former "civil servants' casino" is one of the most famous buildings in the complex, which welcomed illustrious guests such as Sir Winston Churchill and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Today, this listed building houses a stylish restaurant and hotel after it was sold and lovingly restored in 1986. The old Friedrich Heinrich settlement is now considered a prime example of successful urbanization and offers a high quality of living.
For those who are adventurous, the settlement invites you to explore the unique combination of history and modern living space. The harmonious integration of architectural masterpieces into the landscape makes this place an insider tip that impresses with its historical depth and is waiting to be discovered.
