Klosterstollen Barsinghausen, Former coal mine and mining museum in Barsinghausen, Germany.
Klosterstollen is a former coal mine with a horizontal tunnel extending approximately 1,380 meters (4,530 feet) into the mountain, displaying extraction tools and transport systems from different eras. The underground passages reveal how miners worked and moved materials through the depths.
Mining operations started in 1856 and continued until 1921, after which the site served as a ventilation system for other workings until 1957. This extended use demonstrates how important coal extraction was to the region for over a hundred years.
Former miners lead guided tours through the tunnels, demonstrating mining techniques while sharing personal experiences and technical knowledge about coal extraction.
Visitors receive protective clothing, helmets, and battery-powered lamps before entering the tunnels. The tour lasts about two hours and involves walking through underground passages, so comfortable shoes and a moderate fitness level are recommended.
A 74-meter-deep ventilation shaft called Wetterschacht Schnepflucht regulated air circulation underground before steam-powered systems were introduced. This engineering solution reveals how miners solved breathing problems using only gravity and natural air flows.
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