A light is guaranteed to go on here. Because everything revolves around electricity. The tour of the former Ermen & Engels cotton mill - founded by Friedrich Engels senior, father of Karl Marx's political companion - gives a vivid impression of how the power of the River Agger has been transformed into electricity since 1903. The "exciting" tour of the Ermen & Engels power plant gives a vivid impression of how the power of the Agger river has been transformed into electricity since 1903. As you descend into the turbine cellar, mysterious blue light and the sound of flowing water greet you, giving you the impression that water is still flowing through the corridors with their mighty walls today. As soon as the eyes have adjusted to the darkness, the turbines become visible, which drove the machines in the factory via a complicated transmission system of many wheels and cogs. On the floors above the turbine cellar, the large switchboard shows how the electricity was distributed in the factory. As early as 1903, the factory owner's home and the town of Engelskirchen also benefited from local electricity generation. Thanks to the power station in the factory, the electric streetlights lit up here sooner than in many large cities. The impressive steam engine at the entrance to the museum floor is a reminder that there was not always enough water power available to drive the machines. Steam power was therefore used early on as a supplementary energy source. Special exhibitions offer something new every year from April to October. In addition, school classes can discuss electricity generation, the importance of electricity and its impact on the environment at the six stations of the electricity workshop throughout the year.
Opening hours (April to October)
Tuesday - Friday: 10.00 - 17.00 hrs
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: 11.00 - 18.00
Monday closed
