Schlebuscher Erbstollen

The Schlebuscher Erbstollen is a tunnel system extending about 13 kilometers through the coal mining region of Ennepe-Ruhr. The system continues to function as a drainage facility, discharging water into the nearby Ruhr river.

Construction of this tunnel began in the 1780s and reached its final extent by the mid-19th century. This development allowed miners to extract coal from depths that would have been impossible to reach by other means.

The entrance area has been protected as a monument since 1986, registered as number 113 on Wetter's heritage list. This recognition shows how important this structure remains to the local mining community.

The tunnel is located about one kilometer from the Ruhr river and continues to discharge water into it. Visitors should note that during heavy rainfall, the increased water flow can cause flooding in the surrounding fields.

This tunnel system operated for over 250 years without pumps, automatically managing water drainage throughout the mining operations. Such efficiency was crucial, as it supported thousands of miners working in the underground depths.

Location: Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis

Part of: list of architectural heritage monuments in Wetter (Ruhr)

GPS coordinates: 51.38860,7.36750

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:01