Slate Caves - Layekaul

LAYEKAUL

You have arrived in the wild romantic valley of Patelsbach.
It was also called the “Zittertal” (Shivering Valley), as this is a historically significant place in the village of Karbach.
The two slate caves served as refuge and protection for some of the residents during the war.
Rembayer Gisela, who was 10 years old at the time, could still tell us quite a bit
about that time: After 14 residential houses and 16 farm buildings had already been destroyed by incendiary and explosive bombs on Christmas 1944, another severe bombing raid followed in early March 1945. Families who could not protect themselves in their own cellar bunkers either fled to Angsthausen at Kieselay or here to the Zittertal.
The upper Layekaul was the larger of the two tunnels and provided shelter for many families. During air raids, everyone naturally ran into the tunnels. It was so crowded there that those at the back could hardly breathe.
Even at night, it was very cramped; the children slept in makeshift bunk beds stacked on top of each other.
Between the bombing raids, people mostly stayed outside the caves. The men and women had built a shelter with tarps and boards, where they gathered and cooked together. March 1945 was so mild and dry that on calm nights, they even slept outside. Laundry was washed in the creek, which at that time had much more water. A little further up along the Patelsbach, there was another tunnel that belonged to the Prinzenstein mine, where one could wash in safety.
The only great joy for the children was sliding down the mountains with an old ladder through the foliage. Many a tree was taken down in the process. The children shared the few dolls to play with and made clothes from old rags. After a few weeks of occupation, the residents returned to Karbach and began rebuilding.
In both tunnels of the Layekaul, stones were once quarried and extracted for house construction. Our oldest villager, Kapps Viktor, still tells today that an enterprising citizen wanted to put the Layekaul back into operation and hired some men, including himself, in the pub in the evenings to work there again and break slate. However, the project was quickly abandoned, and he has not received his pay for it to this day.
A little below this Layekaul, you will find a resting bench, also called a sensory bench, where you can relax wonderfully. In the calm forest atmosphere, you can recharge your energy reserves for the next steep stage.
On the way up to the Rheinblick shelter, you will first pass the upper Layekaul. This has since collapsed, but the enchanting-looking forecourt of the tunnel is worth a visit.

Enjoy nature!



Please do not enter
the tunnels,
as slate slabs can come loose at any time.
Parents are responsible for their children.