International Wind- and Watermill Museum, Open-air mill museum in Gifhorn, Germany
The International Wind and Watermill Museum is an open-air museum in Gifhorn featuring 16 full-size working mills from 12 countries spread across a 16-hectare site. An indoor hall displays around 50 miniature mill models from around the world.
The museum was founded in 1980 when collector Horst Wrobel converted his private collection from Suhlendorf into a public institution with district support. The collection has grown steadily since then, attracting visitors interested in historical mills and traditional crafts.
The mills on display come from different regions and show how various cultures solved similar technical challenges in their own ways. You can see how each country developed its own building style and choice of materials based on local traditions.
The site is best explored on foot since the mills are spread across the entire grounds and require time to see properly. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for rain, as it is an open-air venue.
A Russian Orthodox timber church dedicated to Saint Nicholas stands on the museum grounds, creating an unexpected contrast to the technical exhibits. This church is one of the rare examples of this architecture found outside Russia and Scandinavia.
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