A midwife’s shortcut or a schoolchild’s adventure? The Kappler Stollen holds more than meets the eye. The Kappler Stollen, also known as Hebammenstollen, is a significant part of Freiburg’s mining history. Let’s dive into the tale of the Kappler Stollen.
Imagine Freiburg in the Middle Ages. Silver mining boomed. The city flourished. Schauinsland became known as Erzkasten meaning ore box. Mining wealth helped build the Freiburger Münster. Stained glass windows, donated by mine owners, depict mining scenes.
The Schauinsland mine has around 100 kilometers of tunnels across 22 levels. This makes it the largest of its kind in the Black Forest and the Vosges. The Kappler Stollen is one of the most important tunnels on the Kappel side.
The Kappler Stollen has a nickname: Hebammenstollen. It is a three-kilometer-long passage connecting Kapplertal and Hofsgrund. Why Hebammenstollen? Midwives used it. They could quickly reach births in Hofsgrund. Children from Kappel also used it. It was an adventurous path to school.
Construction on the Kappler Stollen began in 1889. It became the main mining tunnel in 1891. It linked to the Hofsgrund Stollen connecting Schauinsland’s north and south sides. The Kappler Stollen created a tunnel through Schauinsland.
Children had a shorter route to school. The Kappler Stollen cut travel time to about half an hour. They had to be careful. Mining operations continued while they walked. The Kappler Stollen had its drawbacks. Heavy snow often isolated farm children. Bergmann children could still attend school because of the Kappler Stollen.
The name Hebammenstollen stuck because of a midwife from Hofsgrund. She realized the Kappler Stollen could expand her reach. It allowed her to reach families in need faster.
Mining stopped in 1954. But the Kappler Stollen’s story did not end there. Today the Kappler Stollen provides high-quality drinking water.
The Leopold Stollen replaced the Kappler Stollen as the main mining tunnel in 1908. It lies about 150 meters below the Kappler level.
The Tiefer Stollen remained incomplete. It was intended to connect Hercherhof and the Erzwäscherei. This would have improved ore transport. The Stolberger Zink company abandoned it. A small missing piece prevented completion.
Another notable tunnel is the Barbarastollen. It is now a central storage site for Germany. Over one billion documents are archived there.
The Schauinsland mine had 22 levels connected by shafts. The Roggenbach shaft was the deepest. It reached 535 meters.
So, next time you drink water in Freiburg remember the Kappler Stollen. The Kappler Stollen represents a vital link. It connects mining history, community, and essential resources.