Ferropolis, known as the “City of Iron,” is an awe-inspiring open-air museum that brings Germany’s industrial past to life. Nestled on a peninsula in Gräfenhainichen, this vast site once housed massive steel production equipment. Today, it stands as a symbol of history, heritage, and cultural evolution.‍

The Problem‍

While Ferropolis holds immense historical value, its abandoned steel structures, stark landscapes, and grey atmosphere can feel uninviting. The challenge was clear: how do you transform a massive, dormant industrial site into a captivating experience? How can visitors, especially younger generations, connect with an era so removed from modern life.

‍The Idea

‍The solution lay in embracing the idea of “old meets new.” By merging cutting-edge augmented reality (AR) technology with Ferropolis’ raw, rusted machinery, a unique contrast was born. The vision was to breathe life into this no-longer-functional steelworks by immersing visitors in the stories of those who once labored here. This wasn’t just about preserving history—it was about delivering a dynamic, engaging experience that would connect people to the past, right where it happened.

‍The Solution‍

ZAUBAR’s augmented reality app transformed Ferropolis into a living museum. By capturing the voices of time witnesses—the workers who once toiled in this iron giant—we created a bridge to the past. Interviews with former workers were meticulously crafted into videos, which were then geolocated around the site. Now, visitors can stand in the very spots where these workers once walked and hear their stories. The AR app turns a visit into an interactive journey through history, with each time witness sharing their unique perspective on life in Ferropolis.

‍The Impact

‍The result is nothing short of transformative. Visitors are swept away by the deeply personal stories of those who lived and worked in Ferropolis. The AR experience connects past and present in a visceral way, making history come alive on the same soil where it once unfolded. This fusion of storytelling and technology creates a powerful, emotional connection that draws visitors into the heart of Ferropolis like never before.

Ferropolis is no longer just a relic of industrial history; it’s an engaging, immersive experience that exemplifies the strong use case of AR in industrial manufacturing.