Dampfgebläsehaus an der Jahrhunderthalle

Traffic warning: A40 closed near Bochum due to new bridge construction from 6 August

From 6 August 2024, the A40 Schlachthofbrücke will be rebuilt. The A40 will be fully closed for 15 weeks between the Bochum-West junction and the Bochum-Harpen junction. Visitors to the Ruhrtriennale must be prepared for increased congestion on the diversion routes.

 

The listed Dampfgebläsehaus (steam jet house) is located directly between the Jahrhunderthalle Bochum and the Turbinenhalle.

The steam jet house was built in 1876 at the same time as the construction of the first two blast furnaces of the Bochumer Verein. The tall, narrow building houses two upright steam jet generators which were used to create wind power for the blast furnaces. On the roof of the building there are two gigantic water containers which stored water for the steam kettles. Underneath the roof, the building also contains a remarkable historic bridge crane made of wood, which is the subject of a preservation order.

Together with the turbine hall and the Jahrhunderthalle, the steam jet house supplied the steel works with energy up until the 1960s.