The best cycling routes in Mahlpfuhler Fenn

The former foundry of the Tangerhütte ironworks in the Stendal district, Saxony-Anhalt, is considered the historical birthplace of the industrial town of Tangerhütte. Founded in 1842, the plant developed rapidly under the industrialist Wagenführ family into a world-renowned center for art and machine casting. Around 1900, the plant employed more than 1,500 workers and achieved international fame. Before the construction of the foundry, the then village of Vaethen was a small rural settlement. Only the boom of the ironworks led to the settlement of workers, the construction of schools and infrastructure, and finally, in 1928, the renaming of the place to Tangerhütte. The listed complex comprises six historic brick halls with filigree cast-iron supporting structures. They reflect the typical industrial architecture of the 19th century. The protected ensemble also includes the factory owner's villas and an adjacent landscape park, which houses the famous art casting pavilion from the Paris World's Fair. After the Second World War, operations continued as VEB Eisenwerk. After the political changes in 1989, significant parts of the production facilities fell into disrepair and entered a period of vacancy lasting decades. Today, the approximately 16,000 square meter site between Industriestraße and Gießereistraße is a well-known lost place. As large parts of the roofs have collapsed, facades are unstable, and the halls are heavily overgrown, the town of Tangerhütte launched an unusual initiative in the summer of 2026: the ruinous but historically valuable area is being auctioned off with a symbolic minimum bid of 1 Euro. The town's goal is to find investors with a viable concept for creative, event, or modern commercial locations in order to save the historic building fabric from final decay. The "Aus einem Guss" e.V. support association has been committed to preserving this industrial cultural heritage for years. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eisenwerk_Tangerh%C3%BCtte

The mausoleum of the Wagenführ family is an impressive, listed building and one of the central landmarks in the city park of Tangerhütte. The mausoleum was built in 1883 by the Berlin architect Otto March. It was created as a resting place after the death of the industrialist and owner of the ironworks, Franz von Wagenführ. It is located somewhat hidden in the approximately 22-hectare city park of Tangerhütte, directly behind the New Palace. The park was laid out at the time with sightlines so that one could look directly at the mausoleum. The building is characterized by its historic brick construction. While the exterior appears well-maintained, the interior is currently suffering from severe saltpeter damage. Originally, the coffins of the family of manufacturers, who achieved great prosperity through the local Tangerhütte ironworks, were displayed in the basement. Until the 1970s, the building housed the family's remains. Today, the historic building stands empty, and there is currently no fixed plan for its use. As part of guided tours through the city park, the mausoleum can occasionally also be visited from the inside. https://www.euroreiseblog.de/der-stadtpark-in-tangerhuette/

The Old Castle Tangerhütte is a historic factory owner's villa in the Neo-Renaissance style, built in 1872–1874 in the northwest of the present-day city park of Tangerhütte. The striking building with a mansard roof served the industrialist Wagenführ family, the founders of the local ironworks, as a representative residence for decades. As the family seat became too small for the subsequent generation, the magnificent New Castle was built at the other end of the park just 36 years later (1909–1911). After the family's flight and expropriation in 1945, the building served as a field hospital, convalescent home, and tuberculosis sanatorium. During GDR times, it housed the local district polyclinic. After the fall of the Wall, the stately villa stood empty for a long time and increasingly fell into disrepair, becoming a "lost place". A few years ago, a private investor acquired the estate. Since then, the complex has been gradually renovated to revive it in the future as a hotel, spa, and event location. https://industriekultur-sachsen-anhalt.de/standorte/altmark/tangerhuette-altes-schloss

The Neues Schloss is located in the southeastern part of the park. It is a massive three-story building with eleven bays and a converted mansard roof. It was built in 1909 based on an Italian model. Above the portal and the outdoor staircase, there is a small balcony, and to the right and left of the staircase, there are sphinx replicas. Above the portal, the coat of arms of the Wagenführ von Arnim family can be seen. https://www.tangerhuette.de/de/sehenswuerdigkeiten/154243,1138,de,1.html

Founded in 1829, later one of the largest employers in the region.Specialized in cast iron, including stoves, building components, machine components.Large, extensive factory site along the current Industriestraße.Continued after 1990 as Eisenwerk Tangerhütte GmbH.Production was gradually discontinued; parts of the site are now empty or have been repurposed.

A wonderful stretch of route! The stunning scenery and excellent cycle paths make this bike tour a truly memorable experience!

The Old Palace, built in 1888 by the Wagenführ industrial family, stood empty for a long time and fell into disrepair. Improvement is in sight. A Bulgarian investor is renovating it.

The castle (open only on special occasions) and the park are beautiful and recommended as a running route.