Kopperhörner Mühle, Smock mill in Wilhelmshaven, Germany.
Kopperhörner Mühle is an octagonal brick smock mill in Wilhelmshaven with a rotating upper section and mechanical gears inside. The structure was designed to grind grain and process other materials using wind power.
An earlier windmill once stood at this location before being destroyed in a major storm, leading to the construction of the current building in the 1800s. The structure was later fitted with an engine to help operate during calm weather.
The mill's name comes from its original location and shows how people once processed grain by hand and machine. Visitors can observe the mechanical setup and understand what role such buildings played in the local community.
The mill is open to visitors throughout the year with volunteer guides showing how the machinery works inside. Plan a visit on a breezy day if you want to see the sails turning and the mechanisms in motion.
In the early 1900s, a gas engine was added to the mill so it could work even without wind. This unusual mix of old and new technology shows how millers adapted their buildings to stay productive.
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