Retz Altstadt Windmühle, Historic windmill on Kalvarienberg hill in Retz, Austria.
The Retz Altstadt Windmühle is a stone tower windmill on Kalvarienberg hill with four operational wings that rotate to grind grain using wind power. The structure stands visibly above the vineyards and demonstrates the original technique of grain processing.
The structure was built in 1853 and replaced an earlier wooden windmill from 1772, showing the development from traditional to more stable mill structures. It operated until 1924 and was later restored by Dutch millwrights.
The mill shows how local people processed grain across generations and how this work shaped life in the region. Regular milling demonstrations today allow visitors to experience this craft firsthand.
The site is open from April through October, with guided tours available and bread-making activities held on the last Saturday of each month. It is advisable to wear comfortable shoes as the path to the mill leads uphill, and access may be limited during strong winds.
This is Austria's only fully equipped and functioning grain mill powered by wind energy, making it unique among all mills in the country. The restoration by Dutch specialists brought back traditional milling knowledge that had otherwise been lost across Europe.
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