The invention relates to a shaft furnace (1), especially a direct reduction shaft furnace, with a fill (2) of bulk material, especially bulk material containing iron oxide and/or sponge iron, discharge devices (4) for the bulk material arranged above the floor area (3) of the shaft furnace (1), as well as inlet openings (6) for a reducing gas which are positioned above the discharge devices (4). Devices (7) for moving the material contained in the shaft furnace (1) are arranged between the area formed by the inlet openings (6) and the area formed by the discharge device (4).