Stock & Scherenberger Erbstollen, Mining heritage site in Sprockhövel, Germany.
The Stock & Scherenberger Erbstollen is an underground drainage tunnel in the mining region of North Rhine-Westphalia, extending roughly 3 kilometers beneath the landscape. The structure displays original tunnel architecture and water management systems designed to control groundwater flow in the mines.
The adit was built in 1746 to drain the Stock & Scherenberg coal mine and solve flooding problems in the expanding mining operation. Recognition came in 1780 when Freiherr von Stein visited the site during an inspection tour of major Prussian industrial projects.
The entrance portal of this drainage tunnel appears on the coat of arms of Sprockhövel, symbolizing the region's mining legacy. This symbol remains a source of local pride and reflects how deeply the mining past is woven into the town's identity.
The first section of the tunnel stretches about 82 meters and is open for visitors, requiring rubber boots to navigate safely through the damp passages. Wall inscriptions and carved marks from past centuries remain visible, offering a direct look at how miners worked in these conditions.
The tunnel continues to function as an active drainage system, collecting and channeling groundwater away from the surrounding area. This dual purpose as both a working infrastructure and historical monument makes it rare among mining sites.
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