Wilhelm-Erbstollen, Cultural heritage mine in Kaub, Germany
The Wilhelm-Erbstollen is a former slate mine in Kaub with an extensive tunnel network that stretches deep underground. The complex utilized interconnected passages for water management and ventilation during its years of active extraction.
The mine was established in 1844 by combining 14 smaller operations into one unified system. After extraction operations ceased in 1972, the tunnel network was repurposed to serve the town's water supply.
The mine brought Kaub international recognition, especially after superior slate quality was awarded a gold medal at the 1889 Paris World's Fair. This honor established the region as a leading center for Rhine slate production across Europe.
The site is not freely accessible today since the underground system functions as a water reservoir under strict supervision. Visitors should inquire in advance about guided tours or special opening days that may be available.
Workers carried slate plates on their backs through stepped shafts until 1913, when locomotives replaced this labor-intensive method. This manual transport reveals the extreme physical demands faced by early mining operations.
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