Technisches Museum Neue Hütte
Charcoal blast furnace from 1835 in Weidebrunn, a district of Schmalkalden, with a hydropower plant and an exhibition on the region's ironware production.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Neue Hütte in Weidebrunn, a district of Schmalkalden, was built in 1835 as a blast furnace complex where iron ores from the region were smelted into pig iron. Its blast furnace, about 9.60 metres high, was fired with charcoal and represented the latest technology when it was built. A mill race channelled water from the Schmalkalde to the waterwheel, which drove a cylinder blower; the blast air was preheated with the furnace's top gases, which saved charcoal and allowed continuous production. In 1921 a turbine was added, which also supplied electricity to a neighbouring fluorspar mill and a mine near Trusetal. Pig iron was produced here until 1924.
Experts see the complex as a link between the medieval bloomery and the modern coke blast furnace, and count it among the last surviving examples of this technology in Central Europe. It was listed as a protected monument in 1950; the town of Schmalkalden later acquired the site for museum purposes and had it restored. The museum opened on 3 October 1989.
In the furnace building, at the original furnace, charcoal-based pig iron production is explained. Adjoining buildings are devoted to mining analysis, charcoal burning, mineralogy and the water power plant, which is working again. In the former charcoal sheds, an exhibition traces the roughly 1,300-year history of iron and steel goods production in Schmalkalden – from the smithies of the guild era to the industrial firms whose products were sold under the “Smalcalda” brand from 1956 to 1990.
Highlights
- Charcoal blast furnace from 1835, preserved in its original state
- Working hydropower plant with waterwheel and blower
- Hot-blast stove for preheating the blast air
- Exhibition on the “Schmalkaldic Articles” and the Smalcalda brand
- Themed areas on charcoal burning and minerals
Permanent exhibitions
- Hochofen und Roheisengewinnung – In the furnace building, smelting with charcoal is explained at the original furnace; adjoining buildings show charcoal burning, minerals and the hydropower plant.
- Schmalkalder Artikel – Eisen- und Stahlwaren aus 1.300 Jahren – In the former charcoal sheds: the development of small ironware production from guild craft to industrial enterprise and the Smalcalda brand.
- Founded
- 1989
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2People with severe disabilities, school pupils |
| Visitors with disabilities | €2 |
| Groups (10+ people) | €2.50 per personGroups entitled to reduced admission, from 10 people: €1 per person. |
| Families | €7Two adults with children. |
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Accessible toilet available.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
The museum is located in the Weidebrunn district on Gothaer Straße, about 3 km north of Schmalkalden town centre.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Group visits and guided tours by arrangement, also outside opening hours. |
