WaldKulTour - Mining (long)

For centuries, the region’s mineral wealth shaped the landscape of the Arnsberg Forest. Open-pit mining and underground mining carved large holes in the forest, and charcoal burners produced vast quantities of charcoal to meet the energy needs of the ironworks. Towns were founded, and the growing population demanded ever-increasing amounts of lumber and firewood. Remnants from this era can still be found in the forests today, bearing witness to an industry that has almost been forgotten and its impact on nature.