Historische Mühle von Sanssouci

About the museum

A mill is already mentioned in Potsdam's founding charter of 993. Water mills remained rare in the town because the Havel and the Nuthe have too little fall; as Potsdam grew, mainly windmills were built. In the 19th century large mill operations such as the Royal Steam Mill displaced the craft mills, and the so-called "Mühlensterben" (mill die-off) set in.

At the site by Sanssouci Palace, the first mill went into operation in 1738; between 1787 and 1791 today's Dutch-style windmill with gallery was built. It burned down in the last days of the war in 1945 and was rebuilt between 1983 and 1993. Since 1995 the Mühlenvereinigung Berlin-Brandenburg e.V. (Berlin-Brandenburg Mill Association) has operated the house as a museum and a working mill; it also maintains a mill archive with a register of locations.

The ground floor was renovated and rebuilt in 2014/2015, and the permanent exhibition was redesigned in 2020. It spans three floors and covers windmilling, the history of the mill and modern wind power. Visitors explore the grinding and sifting floors and enjoy the view from the gallery over the cultural landscape of the Potsdam palaces and gardens.

Highlights

• Working Dutch-style windmill with gallery
• Permanent exhibition on the miller's trade and mill technology across three floors
• Grinding and sifting floors with gearing
• Mill shop with flour and baked goods made from its own flour
• View over park and palaces from the gallery

Permanent exhibition

• Dauerausstellung zur Windmüllerei – Across three floors, the exhibition covers the technology and construction of the windmill, the social and cultural aspects of the miller's trade, the history of the Historic Mill and modern wind power.

Operated by

Mühlenvereinigung Berlin-Brandenburg e.V.

Director

Torsten Rüdinger

Admission & discounts

Reduced admission with the Berlin WelcomeCard, the Familienpass Brandenburg and the Berliner Familienpass. The combination tickets of the Stiftung Preußische Schlösser und Gärten (sanssouci+/–, sanssouci+ Familie, annual passes) are also valid for the mill.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum sits on a hill with uneven stone floors; the upper floors can only be reached by a spiral staircase. Toilets are in the visitor center at the foot of the mill hill. Assistance dogs are allowed in the exhibition. Exhibition texts can be called up on computers on each floor in several languages; seating is available on every floor.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Museum education program ("Mühlenschule", Mill School) for children and young people; birthday parties can be held as a group tour. Children under 14 may visit the exhibition only with adults.

Getting there & parking

On foot through Sanssouci Park; bicycles may be ridden in the park only on the yellow-marked asphalt paths.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check: not available
• Lockers: not available

The mill shop sells flour, bread and poppy-seed rolls made from its own flour, cookies and drinks. Toilets are in the visitor center.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit