Abstract: A vertical furnace for the continuous heat treatment of a metal strip, in particular for an electrical steel strip, as seen in the conveying direction of the metal strip, includes an inlet zone for the metal strip; a heating/holding zone with an annealing chamber for heating and holding the metal strip at a certain temperature; a first cooling zone for cooling the metal strip; and a deflection device, arranged downstream of the first cooling zone with at least one roller arrangement, for deflecting the metal strip in the direction of an outlet zone for the metal strip. At least one second cooling zone is arranged downstream of the deflection device with respect to the conveying direction.