The “Höhler“ caves in the Burgberg

Fancy an excursion into Meerane’s underworld?
Then have a look at Meerane’s Höhler caves. Under the town centre there are many passageways and cellars whose origins do not go back to mining. The first cellars are supposed to have been prepared in the 14th century. They were sometimes used to store food (including beer), as a refuge during town fires and enemy attack or as air raid shelters. The whole subterranean area was continually expanded and rearranged over the centuries. After World War II the caves became neglected and were filled with rubbish. A programme to clean up and restore the caves and passageways was begun after German reunification in 1990. The area under the church tower was secured and strengthened.Public tours into the underground world are possible since 1997. The restored caves cover an area of c. 3000 square metres.