Teichmühle Steinwiesen
Water-powered sawmill documented since 1507 in the Frankenwald – a museum with a working frame saw and the sawyer's living quarters.
About the museum
A sawmill at this spot on the Rodach is first mentioned in 1507 in the Kronach Kastenamtsurbar (a land register); in earlier times it was called Hadersmühle. The Frankenwald then had dozens of water-powered sawmills that turned the region's timber into boards, which often then reached the Main by raft down the Rodach. With the rise of steam sawmills in the late 19th century, the small mills lost their importance, and most disappeared.
The Teichmühle itself burned down in 1881 and 1922 and was rebuilt each time; the stone residence dates from 1922. Around 1950, a used iron gang saw of royal Bavarian manufacture came to the mill, and shortly afterward the wooden water wheel was replaced by an iron one.
After the district of Kronach and the market town of Steinwiesen took over most of the mill in 1982, the sawing shed and residence were repaired in 1984 and furnished as a museum. Since 1987, the Mühlenverein Rodachtal has led visitors through the site, and since 2003 it has also operated the sawing. To this day, timber is cut here for municipal works yards and forest owners in the region – the Teichmühle is thus both a museum and a working business, and one of the last of its kind in the Frankenwald.
Highlights
- Working sawmill with large water wheel
- Royal Bavarian iron gang saw, over 140 years old, with sawing demonstration
- Reconstructed living quarters of a sawyer's family
- Replica of a board raft and weir on the Rodach
- Mill festival and German Mill Day with a program for children
Permanent exhibitions
- Schneidmühle und Sägegatter – The water wheel, line shaft and the historic iron gang saw show how logs are cut into beams and boards using water power – with a demonstration during operation.
- Wohnung des Schneidmüllers – A living kitchen, bedroom and attic rooms illustrate the cramped living conditions of a sawyer's family.
- Operated by
- Mühlenverein Rodachtal e. V.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €1free up to age 5 · Children up to age 6 free, older children and teenagers €1. |
| Groups (10+ people) | –Group visits on weekdays by registration with the Tourismusverband Oberes Rodachtal (tourism association); tour at no extra cost. |
The sawing demonstration on open Sundays is included in the admission.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- 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 path between the mill race and the Rodach is gravel.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
Child-friendly tours for school classes and kindergartens. At the mill festival and on German Mill Day (Whit Monday), children can ride small rafts on the mill race and take part in the "Blöchla" log drive.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
By train to Kronach, then from the nearby bus station take the Kronach–Nordhalben bus line; the Teichmühle has its own bus stop. On weekends, the Radlbus (bike bus) also runs.
By car
Parking available
From the St 2207, turn onto county road KC 16 and after the bridge over the mill race park to the left or right of the road between the mill race and the Rodach (buses with up to 40 seats too); on Sundays, access up to the mill building. Larger buses turn around on Industriestraße and park in front of the Rodach bridge.
GPS: 50.3028 N, 11.4641 E. The mill is on the St 2207 about 1 km north of the town center; on foot from town via the pedestrian and bike path on the former railway line.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Unisex restroom in the basement of the residence. Short guide to the Teichmühle (€0.50, English €1).
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Visits in guided groups with a demonstration of the frame saw; the sawyer's living quarters are part of the tour. School classes and groups (e.g., clubs, regulars' tables, companies) by registration via the contact form or at info@oberes-rodachtal.de; mobile travel guide via the tomis app. |
