Tobiashammer
Water-powered hammer mill from the 15th century with drop hammers, a rolling mill and a giant steam engine – currently closed for renovation.
About the museum
The hammer mill on the Ohra river near Ohrdruf was probably built around 1480 as an iron and sickle forge. At first it produced farm implements such as scythes and plowshares, but also weapons. The site owes its name to Tobias Albrecht, who acquired it in 1592 and is the earliest known owner. In 1737 it was converted into a copper forge that made, among other things, kettles for breweries and households.
After a restoration lasting about two and a half years, the Tobiashammer opened to visitors in 1983 as a working technical display. Four water wheels drive five drop hammers, a rolling mill, a stamp mill and grinding works; there are also historic annealing and forging furnaces. During demonstrations the machines were set in motion to show how they work. The site is considered the only surviving example of the many hammer mills that once operated in Thuringia.
Since 1988 the grounds have also housed a 305-ton twin tandem steam engine from the Maxhütte steelworks in Unterwellenborn, producing around 12,000 horsepower. A half-timbered barn from 1876 was moved here from Schlotheim to house it. Blacksmithing symposia have also been held here since 1983, and the sculptures they produced stand in the Tobiashammer park.
After the town of Ohrdruf took the site back in 2020, it remained closed because of considerable structural damage. The roofs and load-bearing structures of the hammer building and rolling mill were secured with grant funding; according to the town, a full renovation for demonstration operation would cost several million euros. The town is therefore considering a new operator or a sale.
Highlights
- Five working water-powered drop hammers
- Rolling mill, stamp mill, grinding works and historic forging furnaces
- Giant steam engine from the Maxhütte Unterwellenborn (305 t, around 12,000 hp)
- Sculpture park from international blacksmithing symposia
- Founded
- 1983
- Operated by
- Stadt Ohrdruf
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