Factory housing estate Zschornewitz
In the immediate vicinity of the site of what was once the world's largest and most modern lignite-fired power plant.
The once largest and most modern lignite-fired power plant in the world was built in 1915 in Zschornewitz on the edge of the Düben Heath. In the immediate vicinity of the plant site, a residential colony invites visitors on a journey back to the era of social building and living at the beginning of the 20th century. Modeled on English garden cities, the housing estate, also called "Kolonie Zschornewitz," is characterized by lots of greenery and colorful facades. To the Expo 2000 the entire settlement complex was affectionately redeveloped and again a piece of jewelry of modern settlement architecture.
For guided tours of the factory housing estate "Colony" in Zschornewitz, contact the Tourist Information Gräfenhainichen at August-Bebel-Str. 24, 06773 Gräfenhainichen.
1915: Start of construction of power plant and settlement.
1929: The largest steam turbine in Europe with an output of 85 MW is put into operation.
1992: Decommissioning of the power plant. Industrial monument and colony are placed under preservation order.
1993 - 1994: Dismantling of the power plant facilities and redevelopment of the core area begin.
1996: The industrial estate is included in the list of EXPO 2000 projects.
1997 - 1999: The plant estate is redeveloped.
2015: Closure of the Zschornewitz power plant industrial monument.
2020: Foundation of the Forum Rathenau e.V.
