19-Lachter Tunnel, Water drainage gallery in Wildemann, Germany.
The 19-Lachter Tunnel is a water drainage gallery that runs roughly 8.8 kilometers through the Upper Harz mountains, with passages that are only about 1.4 meters high in some areas. It was built to direct water away from mining operations and portions of it remain open for visitors to explore.
Construction of the tunnel started in 1551 but was interrupted due to difficult rock conditions and resumed in 1570. The project was finally completed in 1690 and continued operating until 1924.
The tunnel's name comes from the historical mining measurement called 'Lachter,' which reflects the traditional ways miners measured distances in the Harz region. This term shows how deeply mining shaped local language and daily work practices.
Visitors can join guided tours that explore about 500 meters of the accessible tunnel sections and show historical equipment like compressors and turbines. The low ceiling in certain areas requires careful walking, so wear comfortable shoes and clothes you do not mind getting soiled.
A steel bridge spans a vertical shaft that drops about 261 meters below, and during tours water demonstrations show the power of the system. This remarkable spot reveals both the engineering skill required and the large volume of water the tunnel needed to handle.
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