Top 18 Caves ザールフェルト/ザーレでの

After the German armaments factories in Peenemünde on Usedom were severely damaged by the British Operation Hydra, the Nazi government decided to relocate war-critical factories underground. The factories found space primarily in old mines, railway tunnels, or newly constructed galleries. The Rentschen quarry, which had been used for slate mining and closed in 1925, was also designated for the "underground relocation." It was codenamed "Rutte." The Chemnitz-based company Reinecker was supposed to produce armaments on a 3,000-square-meter site. But this never happened. Reinecker found a home in another nearby slate mine. In total, around two dozen underground relocations were occupied or at least planned around Probstzella.

In the Rentschenbruch near Probstzella, the underground relocation for armaments production was approved under object number 1074, codenamed "Rutte." The Rentschenbruch underground mine had been idle since 1925. A production area of 3,000 square meters was planned for the expansion into an underground armaments factory. A fish name was chosen as the codename, fitting for a mine. The "Rutte" is a critically endangered bony fish from the burbot family and is also called "Trusche" in southern Germany. The Rutte only occurs in freshwater; other names include "Ruppe" or "Aalrutte." But that's just a side note. Originally, the Reinecker company from Chemnitz was supposed to move into the Rentschenbruch slate mine near Probstzella. However, this never happened, so Reinecker was ultimately housed in a bomb-proof slate mine (codenamed Rotfeder) nearby. At times, the Rentschenbruch was also closed for storage purposes by the Wehrmacht. The Geilenberg staff was also interested in the underground cavities of this slate mine. Source: http://www.stollenhausen.de/u-verlagerung-rutte/mobile/

Also interesting outside opening hours

The cave is a chamber structure and houses 14 free-standing columns and 8 partially carved support columns and is about 160 square meters in size. In winter, bats, butterflies and moths hibernate in this cave.

Nice little cave, but you shouldn't be afraid of 🕷🕸 😬.

A really interesting cave. You have to walk a little bent over at the entrance, but you can stand up again in the cave. If you like caves, you should visit the Rothentaler Felsenhöhlen near Kahla. They are a little smaller, but still very worth seeing.

Here you can learn a lot about the mining area; a visit underground ⚒ on foot or by train is worthwhile.

You have to do it! Clearly recommended!