Herrenmühle, Historic watermill in Hanau, Germany.
The Herrenmühle is a historic watermill on the Kinzig River in Hanau, positioned along a bend in the river with preserved weir and basin structures. The building features Renaissance-era architecture and a 16th-century bridge connecting it to its surroundings.
First documented in 1402, the mill replaced an earlier castle mill under the counts of Hanau. It operated with multiple grinding mechanisms as a major grain processing center for the region.
The name refers to its connection to the rulers of Hanau, reflecting its importance as a facility they controlled. The Renaissance structures visible today show how central this mill was to local craft and commerce.
The site is located at Nordstraße 86 and remains accessible from the outside at all times, easily spotted by the river and historic bridge. The building houses a cafe that opens on select days, offering a chance to experience the location more closely.
The mill was adapted into a power station in later years, with turbines replacing five original mill wheels in 1874 for electricity generation. This innovative use of water power showed how the site adapted to new technologies and remained productive until 1942.
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