Markus-Röhling-Stolln, Show mine in Frohnau, Annaberg-Buchholz, Germany

Markus-Röhling-Stolln is a show mine in Annaberg-Buchholz with tunnels that wind deep underground, revealing multiple chambers and passages left by centuries of ore extraction. The layout showcases how miners navigated rock faces and developed the workings over time.

The tunnel was driven in the 16th century as the St.-Anna-Stolln to drain the mines on the Schreckenberg. In 1727 it was renamed after mining official Markus Röhling, son of Hans Röhling. From 1733 to 1857 large quantities of silver and cobalt ore were extracted, especially from the Erstneuglück Flachegang. After the 1659 cobalt contract of the Schneeberg blue-colour works was lifted in 1850, the mine ran into difficulties and was closed in 1857.

The mine is named after Markus Röhling, the son of Hans Röhling and a mining office administrator, who gave the tunnel its name in 1727; before that it was called St.-Anna-Stolln. A former machine room now hosts events and celebrations. The 600-metre ride on the mine railway passes several exhibition objects.

Access is through guided visits where you walk down narrow passages and explore different levels. Bring a warm layer since the underground remains cool regardless of the season.

The nine-metre water wheel in the historic section is a reconstruction; the original was used to pump groundwater from the deeper levels, fed by a diverted stream. Since 2021 a new circular route has avoided retracing the same path, requiring a new gallery to be driven and existing ones widened, at a cost of 1.5 million euros.