Sanssouci (Balve)

Stop of the Hönnetalbahn

Sanssouci is a hamlet of Volkringhausen in the town of Balve . The origin of the name ( French for “without worry”) is uncertain. As far as known, there is no connection with the Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam.

Railway stop

Sanssouci is best known as a stop on the Hönnetalbahn from Menden to Neuenrade .

On November 30, 1883, at the “Haus Sanssouci” inn, the “definitive constitution of the committee for the implementation of a secondary railway from Menden to Neuenrade” took place. There were considerations to branch off a line from Sanssouci towards Plettenberg and Werdohl .

For a long time, Sanssouci was the most important station of the Hönnetalbahn in freight traffic. Extensive track systems were laid in order to serve the limestone quarries in the area. Long freight trains ran to and from Sanssouci until the late 1970s. The loading of wood also played an important role.

The station, built in the standard style for Sauerland branch lines in the early 20th century, was occupied until May 26, 1979. After the lime dust loading had been completely relocated to the streets, the freight train volume fell rapidly.

History in National Socialism

From the time of National Socialism , Sanssouci became known as a so-called labor education camp , in connection with the Schwalbe 1 tunnel in the Hönnetal, which was built towards the end of the Second World War . This was handcrafted into the rock by tens of thousands of slave laborers.

There were up to 15 camps in the Hönnetal, from Balve Helle to Biebertal near Lendringsen. Sanssouci was one of the largest in the Hönnetal. The warehouse was located in the quarry directly behind the train station (today the area of ​​the Kruse Group). Many forced laborers died here.

A memorial does not exist to this day.

tourism

The train station played a role in tourism because of the start of the hiking trail to Klusenstein Castle . At the beginning of the 20th century, the Hönnetal was a well-known destination for day-trippers from the Ruhr area.

Sanssouci was often used as a starting point for hikes in the Hönnetal and has a well-known and popular inn in the 19th century.

Individual evidence

1. ^ The Sanssouci labor education camp .

Coordinates: 51 ° 21 '  N , 7 ° 53'  E