Papierfabrik Golzern
In the small village of Golzern, close to the Mulde River, stands the abandoned Papierfabrik Golzern. This large industrial site once shaped the area for more than 150 years. Today it is silent, but the story behind it makes the place worth a closer look.
The history of the Golzern paper factory begins in 1860. Paper merchant Adolf Schroeder bought the land to start his own production. He already ran a paper business in Leipzig and wanted more control over quality and supply. An old mill on the site was rebuilt, and in 1862 the first paper machine began to work.
Growth came quickly. A second machine followed in 1866, then a third in 1884. The factory produced many paper types. Some were for books, others for special uses like banknotes. Before World War I, more than 300 people worked here. The factory was a major employer in the region.
Expansion Under New Leadership
In 1877, Max Schroeder took over from his father. He expanded the site and bought a nearby wood grinding mill. This helped the factory grow even more. From 1897, it also produced paper for color and copperplate printing. The site became modern and efficient for its time.
After World War I, development continued. A new wood mill opened in 1921. In 1928, the factory installed a large turbine system to use the river water better. But the Second World War changed everything. In 1944, production stopped. Heavy damage followed in the final days of the war.
State Ownership and Decline
Work resumed in 1945. Two years later, the factory became VEB Papierfabrik Golzern, a state-owned company. It later joined VEB Druck- und Spezialpapiere. The site produced paper for electric use and long-lasting paper. But after 1990, things slowed down. The factory closed for a short time.
In 1993, paper production returned under a new company name. This lasted until a major flood in 2013. After that, production moved to Mutzschen. The old halls in Golzern were left behind.
What Remains Today
Since the flood, the Golzern paper factory has stood empty. The city of Grimma owns the site and sees it as an industrial monument. In 2023, an investor bought the area. Plans include restoration, flood protection, and new uses like housing, hotels, offices, and cultural events.
