"Henrichshütte" Hattingen

Henrichshütte Hattingen (Simon Kesting)

Westphalian State Museum of Industrial Heritage

The "Henrichshütte", founded in 1854, is one of the most traditional ironworks in the Ruhr area. Here, up to 10,000 workers produced iron and steel. Blast furnace 3, the oldest in the region, was shut down in 1987 against the bitter resistance of an entire region. Three circular routes provide access to the 50,000 square meter museum grounds. On the path of iron, which leads through ore and coal bunkers to blast furnace 3 and the casting hall, visitors encounter people who report on their work in the "Henrichshütte" in photos, films and interviews. In addition, the LWL-Industrial Museum is an attractive venue for concerts, markets, theater and conferences. 

Accessibility certified People with walking disabilities Wheelchair users

Barrier-free information

Short Report as PDF

All areas relevant for testing meet the quality criteria of the label "Accessibility certified - accessible for people with walking disabilities and partially accessible for wheelchair users".

Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report.

  • There are six parking spaces for people with disabilities.
  • The Henrichshütte bus stop is 20 meters away.
  • All rooms and facilities that are accessible to guests are step-free/at ground level or accessible via a ramp or elevator. The exception is the Möllerung, which can be bypassed by wheelchair users.
  • There are no slopes with a gradient of more than 6%.
  • All doors/passages accessible to guests are at least 88 cm wide.
  • The cash desk is 85 cm high.
  • Most exhibits and information are visible while seated.
  • Seating is available.
  • There are two public toilets for people with disabilities, which are accessible from at least one side (at least 80 cm). There are folding grab rails to the left and right of the toilet. 
  • Guided tours are offered for people with walking disabilities and wheelchair users. Advance booking is required.
  • Mobile or fixed seating is available for people with walking disabilities, which can be used during the tour. 

Evaluation report: Download as PDF

Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report.

  • There is no clearly visible alarm.
  • There is no audio induction loop.
  • An outgoing emergency call in the elevators is confirmed audibly. Alternatively stairs are available.
  • The information on the exhibits and objects is predominately provided in written form. There is rarely audible information and films about the exhibits and objects.
  • Guided tours for people with hearing impairment and deaf people (in German sign language) are offered. A reservation in advance is necessary.
  • Guided tours with FM systems (e.g. headphones, neck loops) are offered for people with hearing impairments.

Evaluation report: Download as PDF

Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report.

  • Assistance dogs are welcome.
  • The entrance is visually rich in contrast, but not recognizable by a tactile change of floor covering.
  • Outdoor paths usually do not have visually contrasting or tactilely detectable sidewalk boundaries.
  • There are no visually contrasting or tactilely detectable floor indicators.
  • The evaluated areas that can be used by the guest are predominantly bright and glare-free.
  • The signage is designed in clearly legible and contrasting font.
  • A tactile terrain model is available.
  • There are usually no obstacles, e.g. objects protruding into the path/room.
  • There are no revolving or rotating doors.
  • There are few glass doors without safety markings.
  • An outgoing emergency call in the elevators is confirmed audibly. The stopping position is not announced by spoken commands (elevator in the blast house (Gebläsehalle)). The operating elements are in most cases visually rich in contrast and tactilely detectable. Alternatively stairs are available.
  • Steps are not visually rich in contrast. Stairs usually have handrails on both sides.
  • The exhibits and objects are predominately well illuminated.
  • The information on the exhibits and objects is predominately provided in written form and is visually rich in contrast. There is rarely audible information and films about the exhibits and objects.
  • Information is not available in raised print or Braille. 
  • There are no guided tours offered for people with visual impairments and blind people.

Evaluation report: Download as PDF

Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report.

  • The name of the museum is clearly recognizable from the outside.
  • There is no colored or pictorial guidance system.
  • The information on the exhibits and objects is predominately provided in written form, but not in easy language.
  • There are no guided tours offered for people with cognitive impairments.
  • Videos in simple language can be viewed on the website. 

Evaluation report: Download as PDF

Image gallery

Henrichshütte Hattingen Henrichshütte Hattingen (Simon Kesting)
"Henrichshütte" Hattingen (Simon Kesting)