Save the forge at the Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp : Become a patron

The history

The quarry for the Reich’s ambitious architectural projects

The site was chosen for its deposits of pink granite, destined for the architectural projects of the Third Reich. At first, the quarry was worked by conscripted civilian labourers, but soon began using deportees who were subjected to exhausting forced labour. Despite SS surveillance, there are reports of acts of solidarity between civilians and prisoners. From 1943 onwards, the quarry was converted into a workshop for dismantling aircraft engines, before the camp was evacuated in September 1944.

Photographie de la carrière datée d’août 1943. L’exploitation de granit rose a laissé place à un centre de démontage de moteurs d’avions pour la société Junkers. - Enlarge image, modal window
Photograph taken at the quarry in August 1943. The pink granite quarry gave way to an aircraft engine dismantling centre for the company Junkers. ©Lucien Kohler, droits réservés
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Students from the Clermont-Ferrand National school of architecture and the University of Lübeck (Germany) designed the project that was selected by the architect in charge, the ONaCVG (National Office for Veterans and Victims of War) and the DRAC (Regional Department of Cultural Affairs). ©Annaëlle Burlet – ENSACF – REX – sous dir. Pierre Dufour

Save the forge, restore the memory

The project to preserve and restore the forge

The forge, which is currently in a very poor state of repair, is a rare testament to forced labour and the industrial and economic activity of a camp. The project aims to:

  • Protect and restore the structure of the forge building (walls, vaults, deteriorated concrete)
  • Install a durable protective covering that can withstand the site’s extreme climate
  • Secure and preserve the galleries threatened with collapse and preserve the wildlife
  • Connect the history of the camp to its territory and its inhabitants
  • Exalt the ruins through mediation programs accessible to all audiences
  • Enlist young people in research and dissemination with the participation of archaeology and architecture students
Make a donation to the Fondation du Patrimoine

Committed partners

Estimated total cost of the project: €594,194 including VAT

  • 556220 € Funded
  • 37974 € Remaining funding to be secured

Funding details:

  • €250,000 – French Ministry of Culture
  • €100,000 – Grand Est Region
  • €100,000 – European Collectivity of Alsace
  • €1,000 – Communauté de Communes de la Vallée de la Bruche (Bruche Valley local council community)
  • €1,500 – Grand-duché de Luxembourg – Ministère affaires étrangères
  • €1,500 – Grand-duché de Luxembourg – Conseil de l’Europe
  • €30,000 – France Mutualiste
  • €20,000 – Fondation d’entreprise Carac
  • €25,000 – FNAM
  • €5,000 – Fondation du patrimoine
  • €2,000 – Amicale luxembourgeoise
  • €1,000 – Amicale le Train de la Mémoire
  • €19,220 – Appel à don en cours via la Fondation du patrimoine

Why support this project?

Help keep the memory alive

Help support the passing on of knowledge

Every donation goes towards creating innovative educational resources (tours, digital tools, audio-visual content) designed to bring this history to life and make it accessible to everyone.

Actions in support of our shared heritage

The Struthof quarry is a site listed as a Historic monument, where local history and European remembrance intertwine.
The deportees came from more than 51 countries as they exist today – by supporting this place, we are safeguarding a shared memory that extends beyond borders.

Combine memory and the environment

The restoration work will also help to preserve the protected species that have found refuge in the tunnels: bats, salamanders and endemic flora.

Donations to the Fondation du Patrimoine are eligible for tax relief

Example: for a donation of 150 Euros:
➔ the actual cost is 51 Euros after income tax relief,
➔ or 38 Euros after property wealth tax relief,
➔ or the actual cost is 60 Euros after corporation tax relief.

The Natzweiler-Struthof Concentration Camp Memorial and its partners would like to extend their warmest gratitude to the patrons for their invaluable support and convey their sincere appreciation to them.

Patrons and partners

Collectivité européenne d’Alsace
Communauté de communes vallée de la Bruche
DRAC Grand Est
Région Grand Est

Ambassade du Luxembourg en France
Ministère des affaires étrangères du Luxembourg
Représentation permanente du Luxembourg auprès du Conseil de l’Europe

FNAM
Fondation Carac
Fondation du patrimoine
France Mutualiste

1702° section des Médaillés Militaires d’Erstein
Association le train de la mémoire
Association luxembourgeoise du camp de Natzweiler
Compagnie Lucie Warrant
Kulturlückenfüller e.V.

Individual donors

Philippe Adam
Philippe Antoine
Jérôme Aymard
Birte Bauerndistel
Jean-Marie Britz
Alain Conil
Isabelle Crété
Pierre Fourneret
Nathalie et Christophe Frey
Mathias Fuszenecker
Marie-Odile Garnier
Delphine Halbwachs
Harald Halle
Eddy Kowalsky
Michaël Landolt
Théo Mertz
Marie Meunier Verhoog
Pascal Pavageau
Céline Prefol Lassailly
Aurélie de la Selle
Claire Sublon

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The quarry is owned by the municipality of Natzwiller, which has delegated its maintenance, conservation and development to the National Office for Veterans and Victims of War – ONaCVG (responsible for managing the former camp via the Natzweiler-Struthof Memorial). The entire quarry site is listed as a historic monument.