Welcome

to the Erdstall-Forschungszentrum mit archäologischer Dokumentation (‘Erdstall Research Centre with Archaeological Documentation’) in the Schießl-Hof

What is an Erdstall?

Erdställe are ancient, man-made subterranean tunnels. In German, the term ‘Stall’ formerly meant ‘place’, ‘location’, or ‘site’, and ‘Erde’ means ‘earth’ or ‘ground’. Thus, an Erdstall (literally: ‘earth stead’) is a ‘place below ground’. Its original purposes are unknown, myths and legends abound about these mysterious passages, and traditionally, there are different names for them: Especially in Bavaria, the term ‘Schrazelloch’ (dwarfs’ hole) is quite common, as the Erdställe are supposed to have been dug by dwarfs, which locally are called ‘Schrate’, ‘Schratzl’, ‘Schrazel’, ‘Razeln’, or ‘Schranzen’.

Each structure is unique in its size and design, but there are common features: Narrow corridors and small passages called ‘Schlupfe’ or ‘Schlupflöcher’ (‘slips’ or ‘slip-holes’) connect cave-like chambers. About 190 Erdställe are known in Bavaria today, and as different as they may be, they appear to have been constructed following a similar principle.

What awaits you in the Schießl-Hof?

The Erdstall of Oberviechtach, Lkr. Schwandorf, Germany. (Photo: Peter Forster)

Here in the Schießl-Hof, you find out about the current state of knowledge, and in the cellar, you even can see an original Erdstall.

The Schießl-Hof is a living museum, offering room for cultural events.

The Erdstall-Forschungszentrum mit archäologischer Dokumentation was created on the initiative of the Arbeitskreis für Erdstallforschung e. V. (‘Working Group for Erdstall Research’), which is now based in the Schießl-Hof.