St.-Johannes-Erbstollen, Mining adit in Witten, Germany
St.-Johannes-Erbstollen is an underground mining tunnel stretching over one kilometer through the Hardenstein and Vormholz districts. The main entrance sits at 77 meters above sea level, and the tunnel system originally functioned to drain water and provide ventilation for surrounding coal mines.
Construction began in 1777 as part of the Märkischer mining district operations. The tunnel allowed multiple mines to function together by managing water and air flow efficiently.
The tunnel's name references a saint, reflecting the religious traditions of the 18th-century mining region. Visitors can still observe the hand-carved walls today, showing the direct marks left by miners working with basic tools.
The entrance is positioned lower than a neighboring adit level, indicating multiple underground layers in this area. Expect narrow, damp conditions inside, so wear sturdy shoes and clothes you do not mind getting dirty.
Water flowing from the tunnel contains dissolved iron that stains the streambed orange-brown through oxidation. This natural process continues to mark the landscape, revealing how geology shaped mining here.
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