Visiting the ABANDONED IRONWORKS (Völklinger Hütte) 👷 + Saarbrücken City Tour in SAARLAND, GERMANY

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Welcome to Saarland, Germany! In this video, we'll be touring Saarbrücken, the capital of the state of Saarland, plus we'll visit the old ironworks in the neighbouring town of Völklingen. We'll start off the morning in Saarbrücken, where we'll take you out for brunch at a local restaurant, we'll wander through the farmer's market, we'll visit the Castle Church and its impressive gardens, plus we'll stop at a few other spots along the way. You may not get the sense that this was once a major industrial area, but that'll change with our next attraction.

In the afternoon, we'll venture over to the Völklingen Ironworks. This is hands down one of the most unusual places we’ve visited on our travels. This massive complex covers 6 hectares and was the site of pig iron production (also known as crude iron) from 1882 through 1986.

When the ironworks shut down in 1986, a great debate followed: tear down the places or turn it into something? Our guide explained that many of the former workers wanted this place gone because it was a reminder of the jobs they’d lost and the tough times that followed.

However, the Völklingen Ironworks managed to survive and today it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. My favourite part was ‘Paradise’, a section of the ironworks that has been taken over by nature.

Places we visited in Saarland, Germany

00:51 - Welcome to Saarbrücken
01:40 - Breakfast at Gemmels Töchter
03:54 - Sankt-Johanner-Markt
04:32 - Saarbrücken Castle Church
06:37 - Castle Gardens and Castle
07:56 - Ludwigskirche
09:37 - Lunch at Kostbar
10:21 - Völklingen Ironworks
16:48 - Saarschleifen Lodge and Treetop Walk
18:44 - Dinner at Hilde & Heinz

Disclosure: We visited Saarland in partnership with the German National Tourist Board.

Visiting the ABANDONED IRONWORKS (Völklinger Hütte) 👷😯 + City Tour of Saarbrücken, GERMANY 🇩🇪

🚗 Saarland Trip Itinerary & Highlights

Exploring rainy Saarbrücken and the UNESCO-listed Völklinger Hütte in 24 hours! From hearty breakfasts to post-industrial “cathedrals,” here’s exactly what we did—point by point, in order:

Rainy-Day Wake-Up in Saarbrücken

Good morning from Saarland, Germany—just kilometres from France! Despite the drizzle, we’re determined to fit in the Völklinger Iron Works, Saarbrücken highlights (castle, churches) and all the regional eats in just one day.

Warm Hearty Breakfast at Gemmels Töchter

Found this cosy café serving shakshuka, bagels, pancakes… and a Philly cheesesteak that stole our hearts. Audrey braved the spicy tomato-egg skillet; Sam dug into thick steak, peppers & cheese on fresh bread. (€28 total)

Stroll Through Sankt-Johanner Farmers’ Market

We wandered the lively market stalls, from local produce to jams & baked treats—almost tempted to fill our suitcases!

Visiting the Palace Church (Palastkirche)

15th-century church atop a 13th-century chapel, ravaged in ’44 but reborn with modern stained-glass—reminded us why Saarbrücken’s history runs deep.

Panoramic City View

Climbed steps behind the church for a bird’s-eye shot of the Saar River, cathedral spires and the old town skyline.

Saarbrücken Castle – A Modern Twist

Explored the reimagined palace interior: bright white halls now hosting dance classes, conferences and creative lofts.

Ludwigskirche & the Elusive Crypt Café

Admired pastel interiors at Ludwigskirche, then hunted down the Crypt Café for cake—alas, it was on holiday (note to self: return post-reopening!).

Healthy Lunch at kostbar

Sampled organic, locally-sourced delights: roasted eggplant, zucchini ribbons, pumpkin, crisp salads and vegan specialties—sustainability never tasted so good.

Völklinger Iron Works Tour

Safety helmets on for our guided walk through this 1882–1986 pig-iron plant, now a UNESCO World Heritage “cathedral of labour.”

Walked colossal blast furnaces, learned about 16 000-strong 1960s workforce, 50 °C indoor heat, and its dramatic preservation story.

“Mettlach Vessel” Getaway

Swift taxi to Hotel Villa Mettlach, a stunning forest-edge retreat with treehouse-style lofts, lookout sculptures and kayaking options—powerful views, torrential rain!

Dinner at Hilde und Heinz

Shared the Saarland schnitzel in creamy bacon sauce and a regional meat-and-dumpling platter. Rich, hearty eats—perfect for a chilly night.

What’s Next? Black Forest Calling!

Tomorrow we hit the Black Forest for castles, cable cars, waterfalls—and yes, that iconic Black Forest cake!

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💬 Comment below: Which Saarland spot surprised you most?

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See you on our next road trip!

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