Salzmann’s Mill

Our mill was built in 1729 in Großmehlra (Unstrut-Hainich district). It is the oldest surviving post mill (Bockwindmühle) in Thuringia. Flour and coarse meal were milled here until 1952.

Post mills have existed for several centuries, and their basic function has always remained the same: the actual mill house containing the milling machinery is supported by the meal beam, which rests on the main post. This main post, in turn, is supported by a large trestle with four braces.
The mill house, including the sails, can be rotated and thus aligned with the wind direction. To make full use of the wind, the sails of our mill are covered with “doors” (wooden boards) before grinding begins.

The main structural elements of the mill are typically made of oak wood. It is assumed that our main post is more than 500 years old.

With his expertise, the last miller, Mr. Werner Frank, was a valuable advisor to us during the reconstruction of his mill. Over the years, many visitors have been impressed by Thuringia’s thickest main post and the large crown wheel.

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During Reconstruction: Trestle, Main Post, and Meal Beam