Papierfabrik an der Saale
The paper factory along the river Saale is a fascinating site with a long history. Located by the mill canal, it consists of several 19th-century buildings. These structures have a deep connection to the town’s industrial past. The story of this place begins long before it became a paper factory.
Mills were built here as early as the 12th century. The Saale River was a vital trade route, helping the town grow. In 1366, wooden locks were constructed, and by 1503, locals had built a weir, or dam, on the river. For centuries, this area was used for cloth production and as a sawmill. Two devastating fires in 1815 and 1834 destroyed the original mills.
Birth of the Paper Factory
In 1834, Johann Christian Brückner, a merchant from Magdeburg, purchased the site. He modernized the grain mill on the left bank and built a paper factory on the right. Using water power, the factory produced handmade paper. Initially, the factory made wrapping paper for sugar factories. Later, it supplied book and newspaper publishers. Materials like rags, quicklime, soda, and wood fibers were used in production.
Growth and Challenges
After the Second World War, the factory operated under the VEB Vereinigte Zellstoff- und Papierfabriken. It produced various papers, including raw paper for vulcanized paper, wallpaper, and core paper for furniture. However, the factory faced setbacks. In 1953, an accident destroyed one of the paper machines. That same year, during the popular uprising on June 17, workers protested poor living conditions in the GDR, leading to arrests.
Decline and Current State
After 1990, the site was sold to a private owner. Many buildings, including the chimney, were demolished around 2000. The remaining structures are listed as monuments but have suffered from neglect and arson. Despite attempts to revive the property, it continues to fall into disrepair. Remarkably, the paper machine from 1886 still exists, a reminder of the factory’s industrial legacy.
Today, the abandoned paper factory stands as a testament to the town’s history. Its ruins tell stories of innovation, hardship, and the passage of time.
