Haseschachtgebäude

Built in 1871, the Haseschacht Building’s neo-Romanesque architecture makes it one of the most beautiful buildings of its kind in Germany. With its internal winding tower, it is classified as a cultural monument of national importance.

In 1889, during the coal mining era, the machines for conveyor operations and water drainage were used here. After the mine closed in 1898, the building was used by the stone industry.

1941 During the Second World War, from 1941 to 1945, three forced labour camps were located at the Piesberg. Between 1941 and 1945, Soviet prisoners of war were used for forced labour in the quarry at the Piesberg. Next to the Haseschacht Building stood the “Villa Italia”, a building that got its name from the nearly 3,000 Italian seasonal workers who were recruited to work in the quarry before the First World War and lived there from 1902 to 1914.

The topic is explored in detail in the publication “… die Spur aufgenommen: Sowjetische Kriegsgefangene am Piesberg in Osnabrück” (Following the trail: Soviet prisoners of war at the Piesberg in Osnabrück). If you are interested, please contact us. 

1946 In the post-war period, refugees from Silesia found temporary accommodation in the Haseschacht Building for several years. Later, the building stood unused and gradually fell into disrepair.

It was not until the 1980s that this gem was rediscovered. Through the combined efforts of dedicated citizens and also with the support of Sparkasse Osnabrück, the building was successfully restored.

In April 2023, the new playground next to the Haseschacht Building was opened. It was developed by the city of Osnabrück in close cooperation with the MIK and through an ideas competition as part of the holiday care programme, based on the wishes of Osnabrück’s children and in keeping with the location. The special surroundings of the former coal mine and the quarry, which is still active today, were taken into account in the planning.