Grabser Mühlbach

About the museum

The Grabser Mühlbach is an artificially built industrial canal about 1.7 kilometers long. When it was created and who built it is not known, but in the 19th century it was of great economic importance for the village of Grabs. At times more than 20 businesses used its water to power sawmills, mills and forges; it also supplied drinking and firefighting water and was used for washing laundry and sheep’s wool. In 1897 the holders of the water rights joined together to form the Wasserwerk-Korporation, and since 1927 the water has also generated electricity.

After several businesses had closed or switched to electricity, the Verein Grabser Mühlbach was founded on April 29, 2008 to preserve this early industrial heritage and make it accessible. Today 18 sites along the stream have information panels and are linked by a signposted trail, among them a hammer and tool forge, a cutlery forge, a sheep’s wool processing works, a bone mill, a small power plant and the elaborately renovated, fully working corn mill below the church.

The interiors of the works, which are privately owned, can only be visited on guided tours. The tours from April to October show the workshops in action: smiths work at the fire, the miller explains the stages of flour production, and the small power plant illustrates how water power is turned into electricity.

Highlights

• 18 water-power sites along a 1.7 km industrial millstream
• Corn mill below the church, renovated to full working order
• Hammer forge, tool forge and cutlery forge with demonstrations at the fire
• Sheep’s wool processing, bone mill and small power plant
• Signposted trail with information panels and QR codes

Permanent exhibition

• Rundgang Objekte am Mühlbach – 18 sites along the millstream, from the water intake through mills, sawmills and forges to the cloth factory with its small power plant, explained on panels and during guided tours.

Founded

2008

Operated by

Verein Grabser Mühlbach

Admission & discounts

The self-guided trail is free. The standard guided tour (about 2 hours) costs CHF 15 per adult, but at least CHF 200 per tour; special programs are priced according to effort and number of participants. A reception before or after the tour is available on request for an extra charge. Cancellations are free of charge up to 72 hours before the start.

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

Not all sites are wheelchair accessible.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

By car from the Buchs or Haag exits of the A13, follow the signs to Grabs.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit