Kellerschächte

Kellerschächte are vertical shafts associated with buildings that provide access to for example basements or cellars. They commonly serve as a route to underground storage, but also function as ventilation and drainage elements in older urban houses. In many German-speaking regions they are integrated into the building’s exterior wall, with the shaft continuing below ground to the cellar and culminating in an opening protected by a grate or hatch.

Design and construction typically involve masonry or concrete lining, sometimes brickwork, and a structural frame at the upper opening. The shaft may connect to a basement stair, a coal storage area, or other subterranean spaces. The top opening is usually covered to protect against weather and unauthorized access, while older examples may include a street-level or sidewalk access point.

Functions commonly include ventilation to reduce dampness and odors in subterranean rooms, drainage and water management, and convenient access for maintenance or for bringing goods into the cellar. In historical contexts, Kellerschächte also supported coal or storage workflows before modern utilities and stair access were standardized.

Historically widespread in Central Europe, Kellerschächte reflect building practices from the 18th to early 20th centuries and are often encountered in dense urban fabric. Today they are subject to safety and building regulations, including the installation of protective grates or covers and measures to prevent moisture ingress and falls. In preservation contexts, intact Kellerschächte may be documented as architectural features of historic buildings.