Borner Mühle, Watermill in Brüggen, Germany.
Borner Mühle sits on the right bank of the Schwalm River and features three undershot water wheels that once powered its milling mechanisms. The building displays typical Lower Rhine mill construction with solid masonry and practical design.
The Cologne Abbey of St. Pantaleon owned the mill in the 12th century, and from 1412 residents were required to grind their grain there. This obligation reveals how religious institutions controlled key economic activities in the region.
The mill served multiple crafts in the local economy, grinding grain, pressing oil, and processing textiles for the surrounding communities. This variety reflects how essential such facilities were to the Lower Rhine region's working life.
The building underwent extensive renovation in 1980 and was later converted into a hotel and restaurant, though operations ceased in 2014. Today the structure can be viewed from outside, giving insight into the historic mill construction.
The structure received protected monument status in 1985 and was registered on the local heritage list. Its location by the river and preserved water wheels make it a rare surviving example of mill technology from that era.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.