Civilization without wires? Unthinkable! This seemingly inconspicuous material has always played a key role in technical progress. Altena, the center of the German wire industry since the Middle Ages, is also home to the German Wire Museum(link to 360° images). It is located 300 m below Burg Altena. Under the motto "From chain mail to superconductor", the museum explores the technical history of wire as well as its social, economic and cultural history.
How is wire produced, under what conditions did the wire workers work, what can wire do, what products is it processed into, what are the future applications of wire, how do we use wire in language, what do artists do with wire?
These and other questions are answered with the help of a contemporary, varied presentation and exciting objects and experiments.(Video to get you in the mood)
All the wire drawing machines are put into operation during guided tours. A very special experience are the two children's programs "Zöger von Altena" and "Alles aus Draht", which can also be booked for children's birthday parties. The museum offers free guided tours every first Sunday of the month. Participation in the guided tour is free of charge, only the museum entrance fee has to be paid. As a combined ticket, the admission ticket also entitles you to visit the Burg Altena museums. The guided tour starts at 11.00, 14.00 and 16.00.
The German Wire Museum is an anchor point on the valley route of the European Route of Industrial Heritage and an attraction of WasserEisenLand.