Fulbert-Stollen, Medieval water drainage gallery near Laacher See, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
The Fulbert-Stollen is a medieval water drainage tunnel that stretches roughly 880 meters through volcanic rock beneath the landscape. The passage maintains a consistent height of about 3 meters and width of roughly 1.30 meters, carrying water from the lake to a neighboring pond.
Construction started in 1160 under Abbot Fulbert of the Laach monastery to redirect excess water and drain the surrounding area. This investment in water management transformed the region and enabled the use of new lands.
The gallery reflects medieval monastic efforts to manage water and protect their religious community from flooding through careful engineering. Visitors can observe how this system shaped the landscape and the relationship between people and nature in the region.
The tunnel is dark and narrow, so bringing a light source and wearing sturdy shoes is sensible for any visit. The environment is damp and the floor can be slippery, so visitors should move carefully.
The system lowered the lake level significantly, allowing monks to gain and use large areas of new land. This transformation of the lake's shoreline was a remarkable achievement in medieval water management.
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