Wichheimer Mühle
Listed former watermill on the Strunde in Cologne-Holweide, first mentioned in a 1381 deed. Today a residential ensemble stands on the grounds.
When the mill was built is unknown: no records of its origin have come to light so far.
Source: Wikipedia
At a glance
- Type
- former watermill (grain and feed mill)
- Watercourse
- Strunde
- Location
- Holweide district, Mülheim borough, Cologne
- Deed
- 1381, referring to the “Mühl zu Wichheim”
- Drive
- undershot water wheel, converted to electricity around 1934
- Status
- listed heritage monument
After a fire destroyed the Wichheimer Mühle in 1961, it was rebuilt, but further fires followed. Earlier, it had served as a compulsory mill that local residents on the estate of Baron von Fürstenberg were required to use.
Deed and compulsory mill
A deed from 1381 contains a reference to the “Mühl zu Wichheim”. According to it, Ludwig von Menden and his wife sold the rents and rights they held in the mill to the Allerheiligenhospital (All Saints’ Hospital). The mill operated as a fulling mill and as an oil mill. For residents of the Baron von Fürstenberg’s estate, it was a compulsory mill.
Operation into the 20th century
In 1812, the Mülheim merchant Heinrich Moll bought the mill and rebuilt it. It remained in operation until after the First World War. Around 1934, the by then rotting undershot water wheel was removed, and the mill ran on electricity from then on. It served as a grain and feed mill for local people.
Fires and changes of ownership
From 1931, the property belonged to the City of Cologne. In 1961, a fire destroyed the mill. It was rebuilt, but further fires followed. In 1972, the civil engineering contractor Franz Dresbach bought the property.
Today
A residential ensemble has since been built on the site. The mill is a listed building.
Timeline
- 1381Deed: Ludwig von Menden sells interest and rights in the mill to the Allerheiligenhospital
- 1812Merchant Heinrich Moll acquires and rebuilds the mill
- 1931Property becomes owned by the City of Cologne
- um 1934Water wheel removed, operation switched to electricity
- 1961Mill destroyed by fire, subsequently rebuilt
- 1972Civil engineering contractor Franz Dresbach acquires the property
Map
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Sources & links
Auto-generated, last verified: 2026-11-08
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