Elstermühle Plessa

About the museum

The mill on the right bank of the Black Elster is first mentioned in 1420. A half-timbered sawmill is documented in 1580; later a grain mill operated here, rebuilt after a fire in 1711. From 1825 the property belonged to the Kühne family. The regulation of the Elster in the mid-19th century made it necessary to build a weir, around 1900 the foundation had to be reinforced, and in 1925 a sawmill was added, powered by electricity from a local briquette factory.

In 1961 the heirs sold the business to an agricultural production cooperative. When a bypass road was built in the 1970s and the weir was demolished, the mill lost its drive water. In December 1991 the friends' association of the Niederlausitzer Heidelandschaft Nature Park acquired the site, restored the grain mill and opened it to the public on June 17, 1995. Until 2017 the nature park association, a nature warden station and an inn were also based here.

The three-story mill building has been a museum ever since. Its centerpiece is a Zuppinger water wheel six meters in diameter; inside, roller mills, a grinding stand, a sifter, a mixer and cleaning machines are preserved and set in motion during demonstrations. In the sawmill across the way stand machines from the 19th century. Today the Elstermühle is also a seminar and guest house with a writers' house.

Highlights

• Zuppinger water wheel six meters in diameter
• Preserved milling technology in working demonstrations
• Sawmill with machines from the 19th century
• German Mill Day on Whit Monday with guided tours
• Located directly on the Elbe-Elster and Fürst-Pückler cycle routes

Permanent exhibitions

• Mühlenmuseum – The preserved milling technology on three floors and the sawmill show the work of an Elster mill; during demonstrations the large water wheel turns.

Founded

1995

Operated by

WernWo GmbH

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Uneven, natural ground on the grounds; parts of the exhibition are accessible only by stairs. Seating as well as storage space for walkers and strollers is available.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Getting there & parking

The mill is near the B 169; the A 13 is about a quarter of an hour away. By bike, directly accessible via the Elbe-Elster cycle route and the Fürst-Pückler cycle route.

Amenities & dining

The HofCafé at the Elstermühle opens on special occasions such as Mill Day.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 30 guests.

Inn for birthdays, weddings and anniversaries (long table for up to 22, up to 30 guests in total), fireplace room for readings and lectures, seminar room and guest rooms for seminars and retreats.

Plan your visit