Slate mining in East Thuringia: 750 years of tradition on the brink!

Slate mining in East Thuringia: 750 years of tradition on the brink!

Slate mining in the Hohenleuben region, once a flourishing industry, fell victim to economic pressure in 1999. This 750-year tradition, which offered up to 2500 people, ended abruptly when the promotion of the coveted "blue gold" was discontinued. Peter Langbein, a retired miner and passionate storyteller, recently welcomed members of the Vogtland antiquity research in the technical monument "Historical Slivis Bruch". He recalled the dangerous and sweaty work that is behind this valuable raw material.

The memories of the glorious times are still present in the form of huge overhaul and flooded open -cast mine. In a documentation, visitors are reminded of the past successes and challenges of mining. Schiefer also plays a role in the Lauenstein castle complex: During a tour, the games of slate slabs were shown on which the debts of the citizens were previously noted. The former prosperity that the region's slate was now part of the story that lives in the memories of the older generation. Further details on this topic are here to read.