Altmühltaler Mühlenmuseum

About the museum

The Rengnathmühle on the Weiße Laber in Dietfurt is first mentioned in documents in 1467. For centuries it served as a grain and gypsum mill and as a sawmill; the area around the “Siebentälerstädtchen” (town of seven valleys) was once rich in water mills. The mill has been owned by the Rengnath family for five generations. Until 1980 it ground commercially – as the last mill in the lower Altmühl Valley.

After regular operation ended, the family renovated the building themselves and set up the Altmühltaler Mühlenmuseum in it. The complete mill equipment is preserved on four floors, its technical state largely corresponding to that of 1906. It is still driven solely by water power: a turbine more than 90 years old moves the machines via 53 leather belts. The equipment and tools on display come from the mill itself and from farming.

A special chapter is electricity generation: in 1897 the mill, with a water wheel and a direct-current generator, first supplied electricity to Dietfurt and powered the town until 1950. The Franciscan monastery was also connected at that time. An exhibition on the ground floor commemorates this early electrification. The highlight of a visit is the guided tours, during which the owner starts up the mill.

Highlights

• The last working mill in the Altmühl Valley
• Complete mill equipment on four floors, driven by 53 leather belts
• Water turbine more than 90 years old in operation
• Exhibition on the mill's supply of electricity to Dietfurt from 1897
• Daily guided tours with the mill running

Permanent exhibitions

• Historische Mühleneinrichtung – The fully preserved, water-driven milling technology on four floors, which is started up during guided tours.
• Elektrisches Licht in Dietfurt durch die Rengnathmühle – Exhibition on the ground floor about the mill's electricity generation, which supplied Dietfurt and the Franciscan monastery with electricity from 1897.

Operated by

Familie Rengnath (privat)

Admission & discounts

Adults €3 with the mill stationary, €4 for a tour with the mill running.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

The museum is located at the Laber bridge, right next to the historic Gasthof Stirzer inn.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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