Historic nail smithy in Sitzerath

Nail forging has long tradition in the Hochwald. The first ironworks were built in the Hochwald as early as the middle of the 17th century. Everything needed for the production of iron was available in the area in sufficient amounts in the form of iron ore, wood and water. In the beginning, mainly ship, lock, band and slate nails were produced. Later, various types of shoe nails were made. However, everything was made by hand until the invention of a machine brought significant relief. Life was buzzing in the nail smiths in Sitzerath, especially during the wintertime. The whole family helped to produce the nails. In times when celebrations, public holidays, fun fairs or carnivals took place, the trade went extremely well. Work started at 4 am in the morning. Even small children were known to pitch in 2 or 3 hours before they went to school. The “Pönnenschmied”from Sitzerath, Nikolaus Paulus-Elgas, is known to have been the last nail maker in the region. Born in 1894, he had already mastered the smithy trade by the age of 15. It was not until 1935 that he quit his trade to pursue a better-paid profession.