The Pyramid-Shaped Bricks: Iron Smelting Giants of La Voulte-sur-Rhône, France

Nestled in La Voulte-sur-Rhône, France, the Fonderie once held a prestigious position, especially during the years of 1846; it was a powerhouse, churning out a massive 16,000 tons of iron annually. The focal point of these operations were the towering pyramid-shaped brick high furnaces, standing tall at around ten meters. They were erected in 1846, during the expansion of the Compagnie des fonderies et des forges de la Loire et de l'Ardèche. With time, the furnace's activity dwindled, eventually closing in 1889, and the mining ceased in 1892. Post World War II, the site was acquired to install a spinning factory, and later, it was taken over by the municipality. For several decades, it was left abandoned, swallowed by the foliage. Today, it stands restored, ready for visitors.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons