Imagine the year 1727. The Claus-Stolln a drainage tunnel near Freital begins its long journey. It cuts through the coal seams of the Döhlener Becken. This wasn’t just any tunnel. The Claus-Stolln was crucial. It drained the mines of Kohlsdorf and Pesterwitz. These mines belonged to the Claus heirs of Thüm. For 30 years miners painstakingly carved this passage. By 1752 the Claus-Stolln reached the Kohlsdorf-Pesterwitzer Nebenmulde coal seam. Two side galleries further enhanced its drainage capabilities.
The Claus-Stolln isn’t grand. It’s roughly a square meter in cross-section. About two meters high and half a meter wide. An 1862 measurement revealed a steady flow. 250 liters of water drained per minute. Dissolved ochre gave the water a striking red color. This water flowed into the Wiederitz River.
After 1990 the entrance received a makeover. New brickwork replaced the old. The keystone now bears a pickaxe a hammer and the year 1726. It’s a subtle yet powerful reminder of the Claus-Stolln’s history. The Claus-Stolln a seemingly small tunnel. It represents generations of hard work. It showcases the ingenuity of miners. This seemingly humble tunnel played a vital role in the region’s industrial past. Its red-stained waters flowed into the Wiederitz River. A silent testament to the industry it served. The Claus-Stolln a vital vein of the Döhlener Becken. It silently speaks to a history etched in stone and water.