Aumühle

Could a town be named after a mill? Aumühle, whose name literally translates to “Au mill,” certainly suggests so. Here we stand in Aumühle, a charming municipality nestled in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein. Aumühle’s story begins in 1350, when it was first documented as “Au-Mühle,” indicating the presence of a mill on the river Au. This mill likely played a vital role in the early community, shaping its identity and growth. The tranquil river Bille winds its way through Aumühle, surrounded by the Sachsenwald, Schleswig-Holstein’s largest forest. Imagine the gentle rustling of leaves and the murmuring water as we step back in time. A significant chapter in Aumühle’s history began in 1871. Kaiser Wilhelm I gifted the Sachsenwald to Otto von Bismarck, the “Iron Chancellor,” to honor his contributions to German unification. Bismarck built his manor house in Friedrichsruh, a district of Aumühle, choosing to maintain the area’s historical name. The Bismarck Mausoleum in Friedrichsruh stands as a testament to his legacy, a place of quiet reflection where the chancellor rests. Interestingly, Aumühle also became the final residence of Karl Dönitz, the last head of state of Nazi Germany. After his release from Spandau Prison in 1956, Dönitz lived in Aumühle until his death in 1980, ultimately being buried in the local Waldfriedhof cemetery. This quiet town holds the echoes of both German unification and its darkest chapter. Aumühle, a town named for a mill, connected to a chancellor, and touched by history’s shadows. This quaint town offers a unique glimpse into the complexities of German history.