Kreenholmi Joala Factory

Kreenholmi Joala Factory, also known as the Kreenholm Textile Factory, was a historic textile mill in Narva, Estonia. It was one of the largest and oldest textile manufacturing plants in Europe and played a significant role in the industrial history of Estonia and the region. Kreenholm was founded in 1857 by Ludwig Knoop, a German entrepreneur, and it operated for over a century as a major textile production center. The factory complex was situated on the Narva River’s banks, providing a convenient waterway for transportation. Throughout its history, the Kreenholm Textile Factory underwent various ownerships and expansions. It grew into a vast industrial complex with multiple buildings, including mills, worker housing, and other facilities. At its peak, the factory employed thousands of workers and produced various textiles, including cotton and wool fabrics. The factory was primarily built out of limestone from the local quarry and seemed gigantic. Upon entering the factory, we were given hard helmets for safety while exploring the factory and flashlights for the dark areas of the building. The factory was very dark and mysterious, making the whole experience exciting and piqued my curiosity. Walking around the factory ruins, I was interested in the design and architecture of the factory’s interior. Exploring this vast building felt like I was in a piece of history and the past. When we went to the upper levels of the factory, we found many posters and pictures that were left untouched from the past. The images surprisingly had many American celebrities like Barbra Streisand and Michael Jordan. Going to the highest level of the factory, you get a great view of all of Narva, which is beautiful. The factory tour was fascinating and an actual piece of Narva’s history. The time was informative and exciting; exploring the factory’s ruins and looking in every dark room and hallway was fun.