Mühlen in Zürich, Historical watermills along Limmat River, Zürich, Switzerland
The watermills in Zürich are a series of water-powered facilities along the Limmat River that once ground grain and powered various craft workshops. These buildings harness the river's current and have been adapted over centuries to meet the city's changing needs.
The watermills emerged in the Middle Ages and became the industrial heart of Zürich, powering grain production and small factories. With industrialization, they gradually lost their original purpose but were preserved and given new lives as cultural and dining spaces.
The mills carry names reflecting their former grain-processing role, though they now serve as restaurants, galleries, and gathering spots. Walking through them, you notice how their industrial spaces have been adapted for contemporary use without losing their original character.
The mills are easily reached by public transport and located along a pleasant riverside path that invites walking. Many buildings house restaurants or cafes where visitors can stop and enjoy the setting.
The Mühlerama Museum, housed in a former mill building, displays still-functioning machinery that shows how grain was actually processed in earlier times. This working museum offers a rare chance to see the mechanics of traditional milling in action.
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