Lindenthaler Mühle

“A black windmill?” you might have exclaimed during World War II, catching a glimpse of the Lindenthaler Mühle. This ingenious camouflage, a coat of black paint, protected the mill from potential air raids. Today, the Lindenthaler Mühle stands proudly, its brick facade restored to its former glory. The mill, located in Lindenthal, a district of Leipzig since 1999, boasts over a century of history. Built in 1892, the Lindenthaler Mühle replaced an older Bockwindmühle, a post mill. It stands on the site of a previous similar structure, once surrounded by a dwelling house, stables, and a barn. The Eschenhorn family, bakers by trade, operated the mill for over a century, its sails powered by wind until 1948 and then by motor until 1960. In 1948, Ernst Rennert added another story to the building for the family. The mill then fell into disrepair, a silent testament to time’s passage. Around 2000, the Eschenhorns demolished the surrounding buildings, leaving the mill solitary. Its revival began in 2011, thanks to the Reinhold family. They painstakingly restored the mill, a two-year endeavor involving the removal of the black wartime paint and extensive interior renovations. The Reinholds, with the help of millwright Martin Wernicke from nearby Kyhna, brought the Lindenthaler Mühle back to life. The mill’s core, the machinery housed beneath the roof, features a refurbished cam wheel with 225 new teeth. The nine-meter-long sails, crafted from Siberian larch, and the double wind rose, enabling the cap to turn into the wind, are testaments to the restoration’s meticulousness. The Lindenthaler Mühle isn’t just a historical landmark. It is a vibrant family home. Each floor tells a story. The ground floor, a space for family gatherings, belongs to the youngest, Klara. Emma, the equestrian enthusiast, occupies the first floor, her “horse room” adorned with agricultural tools. Martha’s reading room, on the second floor, houses a collection of antiques. Robert, who oversaw the restoration, claims the gallery beneath the mill cap as his bedroom. The Lindenthaler Mühle stands as a testament to resilience and the enduring power of family, its sails whispering stories of the past into the Leipzig wind.