Raadvad Mølle, tidligere industrikompleks ved Mølleåen på Nordsjælland
Raadvad Mølle is a watermill by the Mølleåen river in Lyngby-Taarbæk, standing since the 1600s. The complex holds brick and stone buildings with tiled roofs, an old water channel that powered the mill wheel, workshops, worker homes, and a 1700s timber-frame structure with original windows and architectural features.
Founded in the early 1600s by Christian Alckenbrecht, the mill started as a weapons and tool factory. It became a royal gunpowder production site until the late 1700s, when craftspeople took over to make knives and blades, keeping the place active for over 200 years until production stopped in the 1970s.
The name Raadvad may come from old words meaning 'advice' and 'ford', pointing to its location by a stream. The buildings and layout show how craftspeople and factory workers shaped daily life here, with the place becoming known for producing high-quality metal knives and tools that were sold far and wide.
The site is open to visitors who can walk freely around the buildings and along the water, with paths connecting the various structures. Some buildings allow you to look inside at old machinery and tools, while the shaded area with trees and greenery offers a comfortable place to spend time without much exposure to sun or wind.
A 1760s building called the Kildehuset features small decorative columns on its facade and originally served as a workshop for blacksmiths and wheelwrights. The long wooden knife factory from 1907 sitting by the water has a tall chimney still standing and contains the actual tools and machinery used to craft blades centuries ago.
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