Spreewehrmühle

About the museum

The mill stands in the north of Cottbus, where the Hammergraben channel branches off from the Spree. The channel was dug around the middle of the 16th century to supply water to the ironworks in Peitz and the surrounding pond landscape; to do so, the Spree was dammed here. A mill on this spot is only documented from 1795, when an oil and barley mill was built that later also ground grain and fulled cloth. In 1874 an inn was added next door, which still exists today in altered form.

The mill has belonged to the City of Cottbus since 1904. Operations gradually declined in the 1950s, and it stopped working for good in 1959. Heritage conservationists soon recognized the large river waterwheel as a rarity, and the site was listed in 1985. A comprehensive overhaul from 1977 to 1986 shaped today's machinery; an initial museum operation ended in 2001.

Since 2007 the Spreewehrmühle Cottbus e. V. association has looked after the technical monument and regularly opens it to visitors. Following the renovation of the building in 2013 and the restoration of the milling machinery, the mill was back in demonstration operation in 2015; in 2020 it received a new waterwheel. The association demonstrates the machinery and continues to expand the small exhibition in the mill.

Highlights

• One of the few surviving river mills in eastern Germany
• Large waterwheel, newly installed in 2020
• Restored milling machinery in idle demonstration mode
• Located where the historic Hammergraben channel branches off
• Can also be reached by punt ferry from the Sandower Brücke

Permanent exhibitions

• Mühlentechnik und Mühlengeschichte – The restored milling machinery with its large waterwheel is demonstrated; a small exhibition explains the Spreewehr weir, the Hammergraben channel and the history of the mill.

Operated by

Spreewehrmühle Cottbus e. V.

Admission & discounts

The booklet "Deutscher Mühlenführer, Heft 3 – Spreewehrmühle Cottbus" is available for €3.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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

The forecourt and first floor are also accessible to people with limited mobility.

Kids & families

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

Getting there & parking

Easily reached by bike (on the region's major cycling routes) and on foot via the Spree hiking trails; boat rides from Sandower Brücke in the city center to the mill, with landing stages for boat tourers.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant

Neighboring café and restaurant "Zur Spreewehrmühle" (independently operated); picnic area at the mill.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Conferences and celebrations as a package together with the neighboring café and restaurant "Zur Spreewehrmühle."

Plan your visit