Zeche Carl

That same year Hercules was acquired by the Cologne Mining Association under Friedrich Grillo and was renamed the Zeche Carl.

The ventilation shaft was in turn abandoned in 1955, and in 1970 all other colliery work at the site was brought to a close.

The reconstructed building has developed as a pan-regional cultural centre offering a diverse programme of concerts, parties, classes, readings, exhibitions workshops etc.

It also provides space for other community groups, including Offene Kanal Essen, a public television station.

Following the bankruptcy of the original association, Carl Gmbh was set up as nonprofit organisation, and is headed by Marcus Kalbitzer, who followed Kornelia Vossebein in 2020.