Stinksteinwand

In the past, brown coal was mined here. Since then, the remaining coal in the mountain has come into contact with oxygen and ignited itself. One of the fires has been smoldering for over 300 years.

This is the only place in Europe where self-ignited coal has been smoldering in the mountain for 400 years. The fire cannot be extinguished. The Meißner is perforated by numerous old tunnels that have been driven into the mountain since the 16th century and are no longer accessible today. As a result, the mountain is rugged, allowing air and therefore oxygen to circulate, which fuels the fire again and again.

The Kalbesee and the Stimksteinwand can be reached by a winding trail off the P 1 route. In some places it smells of sulfur, due to the still active underground lignite.