The coaching inn from Willich-Schiefbahn

These two buildings stem from the settlement Unterbruch in Willich-Schiefbahn. It is a elongated, reed tiled house – a former coaching inn from the 18th century and a barn.

The imperial Reichspost was established in the end of the 16th century. The transportation of the post was now under control of the emperor and as a paid service it could be used by anyone. In the coaching inn the stagecoaches and couriers did not only have the opportunity to take a break and rest, but they also could switch their wagons and horses. Post masters were individuals, from whom the post could rent animals and carriages on the basis of a contract. At night the cities often closed their town gates, in order to be better protected against attacks. That is why the coaching inns were situated outside of town, so the post could also be transported during the nighttime and the whole transportation process would be faster in total.

Did you know that…
… the people did not have telephones, internet or TV to exchange information in the past? They wrote letters, which were then transported by stage coaches through the whole country. But because they had to travel very long distances, they had to rest in between and even switch horses. This was done in buildings like this one. It is called a coaching inn, where the stage coaches could rest and enjoy the offers of an inn.