Feinmechanisches Museum Fellenbergmühle

About the museum

The Fellenbergmühle on the Seffersbach stream in Merzig was built in 1767 as a grain and oil mill. In 1927 Johann Peter Hartfuß set up a precision engineering business there, producing tools and machines for watchmakers and jewelers; the Stephan and Paul Gottfrois families later continued the workshop. Among its best-known products was the "Cardan" wedding ring engraving machine, patented in 1931 and sold worldwide.

Power was initially supplied by a waterwheel and, from 1929, by a Francis turbine that drove all the machines via transmission belts. After several years of restoration, the district town of Merzig and the Förderverein Fellenbergmühle (friends' association) opened the museum in 1997; the restoration received the Saarland Monument Preservation Prize that same year. In 2018/19 the badly corroded turbine was extensively repaired, so that it once again drives the workshop and generates electricity outside opening hours.

The workshop is shown as it was when it shut down: a dense network of machines from around 1898 to 1930 and line shafts. Former apprentices guide visitors through the rooms and set the equipment in motion. Art exhibitions are held in the attic, and civil wedding ceremonies are offered in the bistro and the turbine room.

Highlights

• Working workshop with line-shaft drive
• Francis turbine from 1929, fed by the Seffersbach stream
• "Cardan" wedding ring engraving machine – engraving available on site
• Guided tours by former apprentices
• Saarland Monument Preservation Prize 1997

Permanent exhibitions

• Feinmechanische Werkstatt – The fully preserved production facility for watchmakers' and jewelers' supplies, with water turbine, line shafts and machines ready for demonstration.

Founded

1997

Operated by

Kreisstadt Merzig und Förderverein Fellenbergmühle e.V.

Admission & discounts

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

Accessibility

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

Kids & families

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

Getting there & parking

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

Amenities & dining

The museum bistro "Café Cardan" in the entrance area, which is also used for weddings and parties of up to 50 people.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 50 guests.

Civil wedding ceremonies of the district town of Merzig in the bistro and the turbine room ("Hochzeitsschmiede" – wedding forge); celebrations only to a limited extent, bistro for up to 50 people. Also a venue for art exhibitions and concerts.

Plan your visit