Freibergsdorfer Hammer
Water-powered hammer mill more than 400 years old and still fully working, on the Hammerteich pond in Freiberg – with forging demonstrations on special event days.
About the museum
The hammer mill in the former village of Freibergsdorf was built around 1600 by the local manor owner Ernst Schönlebe; it is first mentioned in 1607, when the bar-iron hammer was granted water rights. For a long time the water of the Goldbach stream was disputed between mining, the hammer mill and a neighboring mill. Over generations of changing hammer smiths, the forge produced mainly tools and ironware for Freiberg's mining industry and the crafts of the surrounding area.
In 1903 the Freiberg hospital St. Johannis bought the site and leased it to a coppersmith, who for decades made mainly copper goods there. After the last tenant, commercial forging ended in 1974 after 367 years; by then the forge was considered the last working hammer mill in Saxony.
From 1979 onward, the dilapidated buildings were restored to heritage standards by volunteers, companies and municipal institutions; since 1988 the machinery has been fully operational again. In 1991 this group gave rise to the Freibergsdorfer Hammerverein (hammer mill association), which has looked after the monument and kept it open to the public ever since. An overshot water wheel almost four meters high drives the 9.5-meter oak camshaft, which lifts three tilt hammers with hammerheads weighing 100 to 250 kilograms. It is the only surviving iron hammer mill in the Freiberg mining district.
Highlights
- Fully working tilt hammers with hammerheads weighing up to 250 kg
- Water wheel chamber with two large water wheels
- Forging demonstrations on New Year's Day, Easter, Whitsun and the Day of Traditional Crafts
- Small exhibition on forged products and the forging process
- Idyllic setting on the Hammerteich pond
Permanent exhibitions
- Hammerwerk und Schmiedeausstellung – Forge workshop with three tilt hammers, a water wheel chamber with power transmission and a small display of wrought-iron products with explanations of the forging process.
- Founded
- 1991
- Operated by
- Freibergsdorfer Hammerverein e. V.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2.50 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 6 · Children up to 6 free; the association does not state who is eligible for the reduced price. |
| Groups | –Guided tour with forging demonstration (approx. 1 hour, by appointment only through the Freiberg tourist information office): flat rate €90 for up to 20 people including one free place, each additional adult €4, each additional child over 6 €2; max. 40 people. |
Admission of €5 (reduced €2.50) applies on forging days; admission is free on the monthly Saturday openings from May to October.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
On forge days, children can do their own forging at the field forge, plus Knüppelkuchen (dough baked on a stick) at the campfire. Free admission for children up to 6.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Amenities & dining
Snacks at the hammer pond on forge days.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
Up to 20 guests.
Hammerstube room for family, club and corporate celebrations with up to 20 people, with a private guided tour and forging demonstration on request.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours and forging demonstrations with the water-powered hammers only on event days or as a booked group tour (booking through the Freiberg tourist information office, tel. +49 3731 273662). |
