Untersberger marble ball mills, Stone mill in Marktschellenberg, Germany.
The Untersberger marble ball mills are stone mills on the Almbach river that use water power to transform marble stone into spherical shapes. The processing relies on fixed sandstone bases and beech wood turntables to shape the spheres through grinding mechanisms.
The mills were established in 1683 and reached annual production of around 100,000 pounds of marble balls. These spheres were shipped through Rotterdam and London to traders worldwide.
The mills represent traditional manufacturing methods of the Berchtesgaden region, where mountain farmers operated numerous facilities throughout the Almbach valley.
Grinding a single sphere takes two to eight days depending on size and requires careful preparation. Most visitors come between May and October when water flow is strongest and operations run smoothly.
The marble spheres produced here served dual purposes aboard sailing ships as toys and as ballast weight. This practical solution allowed crew to have entertainment while helping keep the vessel balanced and stable.
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