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Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Cologne District

Euskirchen

Mechernich

Ruins of the Langer Emil Chimney

Discover

Places to see

Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Cologne District

Euskirchen

Mechernich

Ruins of the Langer Emil Chimney

Highlight • Monument

Ruins of the Langer Emil Chimney

Recommended by 138 hikers out of 149

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Naturpark Hohes Venn-Eifel

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Location: Mechernich, Euskirchen, Cologne District, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

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1. Pflugberg Summit Cross – View of the Eifel Hills loop from Mechernich

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2. Großer Eindicker – Malakow Tower Emil Mine (Mechernich) loop from Mechernich

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3. Eifel View Galgennück – Baltesbendener Weiher loop from Kallmuth

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Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Tips

Gerd

October 6, 2016

Built in 1885, Lange Emil was Europe's tallest in Europe at 134.6 m. In 1961 he was blown up.

Translated by Google •

MoRi 🥾 & 🚴🏼‍♂️⚡

July 23, 2019

If you want to find out more about the "Long Emil" and the "Short Karl", you should take a look here.
wisoveg.de/wisoveg/heimatkalender-eu/2004b/90emil.html

Translated by Google •

R.Bungartz

February 16, 2025

The chimneys were to be blown up on the afternoon of October 27, 1961. Many onlookers from near and far and a large number of press representatives attended the event. A high-voltage power line in the danger zone of the blast site was switched off for safety reasons. Vussem, Lorbach and Bergheim remained without power for the duration of the blast. After the usual horn signals, the explosives expert detonated the charges. But - apart from a bang, nothing happened!

The two chimneys remained unchanged in their place, to the delight of the spectators. The "Tall Emil" let out a small cloud of smoke as if in mockery. The Eifeler Volkszeitung of October 30, 1961 wrote about this failed attempt to blow up the tower: "That was no heroic feat, Octavio" (Schiller, Wallenstein's Death). Then, late in the evening of October 27, the wind simply blew over the "Short Carl", which had been cracked by the explosives. Flying debris injured two engineers who were nearby.
The drama's final act took place on Saturday, October 28, 1961. The engineers from the Federal Border Guard wanted to know what was going on. They filled the "Tall Emil" with 110 kilograms of TNT instead of the twelve kilograms from the previous day. They didn't want to be the cause of ridicule again. Hundreds of onlookers flocked to the Bleiberg again. Many people wanted to see the "Tall Emil", the landmark of the area, fall to its knees from the surrounding heights. They were all put to a severe test of patience. First it was said that the explosion would take place at 12 noon, then it was to take place at 2 p.m., at 2.30 p.m., at 3 p.m. Because the amount of explosives used exceeded 100 kilograms of TNT, approval from the minister was required; and this had not yet arrived at 3 p.m. Finally, at around 5:20 p.m., there was the bang that the remaining spectators had been waiting for since 12 p.m. But the "Long Emil" did not bend, as would have been his honor. No, he was pulverized by the 110 kilograms of TNT and collapsed in a cloud of dust. The symbol of a once flourishing industry thus came to an inglorious end. Source: wisoveg.de/wisoveg/heimatkalender-eu/2004b/90emil.html

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Elevation 430 m

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Wednesday 29 October

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Max wind speed: 14.0 km/h

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Location: Mechernich, Euskirchen, Cologne District, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

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Ruins of the Langer Emil Chimney

1. Pflugberg Summit Cross – View of the Eifel Hills loop from Mechernich

2. Großer Eindicker – Malakow Tower Emil Mine (Mechernich) loop from Mechernich

3. Eifel View Galgennück – Baltesbendener Weiher loop from Kallmuth

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