The Iron Works in Voelklingen, Germany (founded 1873 - closed 1986) has been recognized as a monument of the world cultural heritage foundation by the UNESCO in 1994. It is presently the only industrial site of that nature that is preserved in its entirety and accessible to visitors. The massive structure inspires awe, respect and fear. To show small details would belittle the presence of this industrial site as a work of industrial architecture or as a monstrous symbol of modern day production technology - however one would perceive it. To attempt to photograph it in 'one piece' is close to impossible.

The three images here are the view from the top tower: 'Art Deco' to the North facing the mounds of slag and debris from the site, 'The Slide' facing West towards the French border and 'The Town' facing East, including the city of Voelklingen and the still functional production site 'Saarstahl', a small fraction of the present steel industry, reduced to a few blue corrugated steel buildings in the background.