Almost 13,000 years ago the glowing lava and ash streams rushed with great speed along the valleys of the Laacher See volcano. These lava streams, measuring up to 600°C, left a barren moonscape behind them. The ash they brought with them developed over the succeeding millennia, through contact with water, into tuff.

When the Romans occupied the area, over 2000 years ago, they soon discovered that the white tuff could be used as building material. Even today tuff stone is still being excavated. However, at a much deeper level. Unfortunately modern excavation methods have destroyed most of the Roman excavation sites.

Fortunately the site at the Trassgrube Meurin has been spared this fate. Here visitors have the opportunity to take a look at the underground workplaces of times gone by.

In this way a small remnant of the biggest Roman tuff excavation quarry north of the Alps can be protected from the effects of the local weather.

Opening times and prices can be found here.