Schrazlgang im Gasthaus Klessinger

Useful Information

Location:	Gasthaus Klessinger, Hauptstraße 31, 94163 Saldenburg, Ortsteil Hundsruck. (48.7774942, 13.3394430)
Open:	All year Thu-Sun 11:30-14:30, 17-22. [2025]
Fee:	free. [2025]
Classification:	Erdstall
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:	L=20 m, H=1 m, W=60 cm, VR=5 m.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Gasthaus Klessinger, Hauptstraße 31, 94163 Saldenburg, Ortsteil Hundsruck, Tel: +49-8504-8239. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1449	First mention of an Erdstall in the Saldenburg region.
2006	The Erdstall was completely excavated, the cellar renovated and the potato cellar converted into an information room.

Description

Schrazlgang im Gasthaus Klessinger (Schrazlgang at restaurant Klessinger) is a description, not a name. The structure has no name, but it is a typical Erdstall, also known as a Schrazlgang in Bavaria. And it is located under the restaurant Klessinger, with access via the former potato cellar. Visits are possible during the regular opening hours of the inn. It is a 20-metre-long arched passageway that is around 1 metre high and 4 to 5 metres below the surface. It ends in a so-called end chamber, which can accommodate two people.

Erdstalls are probably the most mysterious underground structures there are. Even the name is curious and probably comes from a local dialect, but it has since become established in literature. Here in the Bavarian Forest, however, the name Schrazlgang is common and refers to a legend about so-called Schrazl or Schrazen, dwarf-like guardian spirits. The corridors are usually very low, 1.30 metres is typical, so the association with dwarves was obvious. In the municipality of Saldenburg there is an accumulation of Erdstalls, five are known. This is probably due to the rock, the weathered Saldenburg granite, also known as Flins, is relatively easy to work. Nevertheless, it is stable and no shoring is required. Visible discolouration along fissures due to the iron it contains is interesting.

This is the only Erdstall in Saldenburg that can be visited without any problems. The landlord’s family has known about the existence of the passageway for generations, and it was probably also shown to guests on request in the past. However, the current landlord, Heinrich Klessinger, who everyone calls Pico, had the corridor professionally extended in 2006. The Erdstall was completely excavated, the cellar renovated and the potato cellar converted into an information room. In addition to pictures and explanations, there is also a video of the inside of the Erdstall. It is open to visitors, but most people have problems with the cramped conditions and prefer to watch the video. Naturally, the passage was also subjected to extensive scientific research. However, the results of these investigations are just as unsatisfactory as those of all the other Erdstalls. Neither its age nor its purpose could be determined. The information that it is probably 1,000 years old is also unsubstantiated; it is now even assumed that these passages were visited around 1,000 years ago, but actually date back to the megalithic period.