VEB HALBMOND-TEPPICHE [DE]

Exploration #65. VEB Halbmond-Teppiche was a carpet factory which made highly praised carpets in the orient style. The factory was founded in 1880 and grew up very rapidly. In 1930 it had more than 2500 employees and it became the largest carpet producer in Europe. In 1936 Adolf Hitler’s “Reichskanzlei” (Reich Chancellery) was entirely furnished with Halbmond carpets.

In the post-war years, the East German government aimed to rebuild and industrialize the country’s economy. As part of this effort, many small-scale industries were nationalized and transformed into state-owned enterprises, including VEB Halbmond-Teppiche. Under state control, the company expanded its operations, modernized its production facilities, and became one of the leading carpet manufacturers in East Germany.

After the reunification of Germany the factory moved to another part of the town and the majority of the old building were abandoned. The company is still active today in a modernized factory.