Why is this windmill not at its original location? This is the Bohnsdorfer Bockwindmühle. It stands tall and proud. But it has a secret. Its journey took it from the fields of Bohnsdorf to the heart of Berlin.
Let’s step back in time. The year is 1820. The Bohnsdorfer Bockwindmühle was built. It wasn’t always known by that name. Some called it the “Vollkropfmühle.” Others knew it as the “Staberow’sche Mühle”. This was after one of its owners.
For over 50 years, it stood near Köpenick. It was on the Grünauer Straße. In 1874, it was moved. Its new home was Bohnsdorf. The address was Glienicker Straße 508.
Imagine the sails turning. They span about 20 meters. The whole mill stands about 14 meters high. It was a working mill. It had a Schrotgang and Beutelwerk. These helped grind grain.
Fast forward to 1958. The Bohnsdorfer Bockwindmühle was placed under monument protection. But time took its toll. By the 1970s, it was in a ruinous state. Photos from that time show its disrepair. This raises questions. Why did it fall into disrepair despite its protected status?
In 1983, a decision was made. The Bohnsdorfer Bockwindmühle was dismantled. It was moved to the Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin. Here, it was rebuilt. It found a new life as an exhibit.
The Bohnsdorfer Bockwindmühle is operational at times. You might see it working. But it is not in its original location. Therefore, it’s not considered one of the historic mills in its original setting. It’s a relocated piece of history. It bridges the past and present.