Mönchemühle Blankenburg, former water mill near Blankenburg, Germany
The Mönchemühle Blankenburg is a watermill powered by the Goldbach stream near the town of Blankenburg in the Harz region. The stone and wood structure visible today dates to the 19th century but rests on foundations of an older oil mill from the 15th century.
The nearby Michaelstein monastery, founded in 1139, originally used the stream water for oil pressing in medieval times. The mill itself was first mentioned in written records in 1267 when the monastery acquired it from the Church of Heimburg.
The mill was long tied to the nearby Michaelstein monastery, which operated it as part of monastic life and work. The site reflects how water power served a religious community and supported local needs for generations.
The site is easy to reach by car with parking available near the mill building and pond area. Walking routes are clearly marked with information signs about the history, allowing visitors to explore the grounds and surrounding forest paths at their own pace.
A severe storm in 1905 broke the mill's dam and caused flooding that damaged the building. After rebuilding, it later served as a holiday camp for children during East German times and functioned as a guest hotel until it closed in 2014.
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