Do you hear the sails turning in your mind’s eye? Brøndbyvester Mølle stands as a proud landmark. It is a symbol of Brøndby Kommune.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine Brøndbyvester in 1888. Thomas Nielsen founded this mill. He strategically placed it at a crossroads. This location was between Brøndbyøster and Avedøre. Farmers from Brøndbyvester now had a shorter trip. They needed to grind their grain. Previously they used Røde Vejrmølle. It was located on Roskildevej. This was between Glostrup and Albertslund.
Brøndbyvester Mølle is a gallery hollander mill. It features a wooden platform around it. The miller could adjust the sails from here. The mill required manual adjustments to face the wind. This was called “crowning”. Sails were mounted on the wings. The gallery was essential for this task.
Originally the mill also had a bakery. This meant grain could be ground and baked into bread. There was no need to transport it further.
The late 1800s saw a small serving spot. Farmers could enjoy a “miller’s dram”. They enjoyed this while waiting with their grain.
Nikolaj Nielsen owned the mill in the early 1900s. He shut down the bakery. Instead, he installed a motor. This freed him from relying solely on wind power.
However agriculture declined in Brøndby. In 1944 Holger Nielsen bought the mill. He converted it into a tinsmithy. Milling stopped in 1950. The mill became a landmark for the tinsmithy firm. The company was named “Brøndbyvester Mølle”.
Brøndby Municipality took over Brøndbyvester Mølle in 1967. They later converted the mill house. It became a community center for the elderly.
Brøndbyvester Mølle has a unique tradition. When a resident turns 100, the mill’s wings turn 100 times. It serves as a special greeting to the birthday person.
Today Brøndbyvester Mølle remains a beloved symbol. The Mill Guild and Melormene help keep the old mill alive.