NSG Steinbruch Schüren

From medieval churches to modern structures, the NSG Steinbruch Schüren in Dortmund has left its mark on the city’s architectural landscape. This unassuming nature reserve, established in 1990, holds a fascinating history. NSG Steinbruch Schüren isn’t just a nature reserve. It’s a window into Dortmund’s past. Quarrying here began in the Middle Ages. Stones from NSG Steinbruch Schüren were used to construct iconic buildings like Reinoldikirche, Georgskirche, Hörder Burg, Haus Heithoff, and Haus Berghofen. Even in more recent times, stones from this quarry contributed to the construction of the Grosse Kirche Aplerbeck. The stones themselves date back a staggering 315 million years to the Upper Carboniferous period. NSG Steinbruch Schüren is divided into two sections: the larger western “Unteren Bruch” and the eastern “Oberen Bruch.” Interestingly, the quarry also contains remnants of the “Gustav” and “Gute Hoffnung” coal mines, which operated until 1957. After quarrying ceased, NSG Steinbruch Schüren became a dumping ground. This layer of waste now forms the base of the terrain. Today, a meager grassland community of sweet clover and viper’s bugloss thrives in this shallow soil. Other areas have become overgrown with shrubs. A forest of willows, robinias, and birches has developed alongside meadows and tall perennials. A small pond has formed at the lowest point, providing a breeding ground for mountain and pond newts, grass frogs, common toads, and natterjack toads. Blindworms find refuge among the rocks. A crucial aspect of NSG Steinbruch Schüren is its undisturbed natural development within an urban setting. For this reason, public access to the quarry is restricted. The reserve’s protected status aims to preserve the habitats and communities of wild plants and animals. These include the wetlands, dry grasslands, drier ruderal sites, and willow bushes. The protection also recognizes the quarry’s cultural, historical, and geological significance, highlighted by the exposed coal seams and sandstone horizons. NSG Steinbruch Schüren represents a unique blend of nature and history, a testament to Dortmund’s evolving landscape.