Drawn by whispers of a forgotten age, we stand before the Turmhofer Wäsche. This seemingly unassuming building holds secrets deep beneath its surface. Let’s journey back to the heart of Freiberg’s silver mining boom.
In the mid-19th century, silver mining intensified. New shafts were sunk. Existing mines like the Himmelfahrt Fundgrube expanded their operations. The Turmhofschacht became a key player, serving as a main shaft. It aimed to tap into the old Thurmhofer mines’ ore veins.
To process the extracted ore, the Thurmhofer Poch- und Setzherdwäsche was established. It began operating in 1846. The Turmhofer Wäsche processed raw ore from the Thurmhof Richtschacht and Abraham Fundgrube. This continued until the central ore washing facility opened in 1889.
Today only remnants of the original processing plant remain. We can see the buildings. A fragment of the drive shaft exists in the rod shaft of the ore rolling mill. The wheelhouse with its water wheel for the former wet stamping mill also survives.
Two meters below the surface near the Kleinharter Schacht’s spoil heap lies the wheelhouse. Natural stone masonry forms its walls. The wheelhouse measures 10.75 meters long and 12.45 meters deep. Its width varies from 2.00 meters at the ends to 2.47 meters in the middle.
The water wheel was built in 1846. It was intended to last 25 to 30 years. The wheel has a diameter of 9.72 meters and a bucket width of 1.50 meters. At full capacity it could generate 12.5 horsepower.
Water from the Himmelfahrter Kunstgraben still powers the wheel today. The water was used multiple times. Cascades provided water for lifting and shaft conveyance.
The Pochwerksrad is Germany’s oldest nearly complete and functional water wheel. It is easily accessible. It provides a glimpse into waterpower energy production in mining.
The wheel is made of larch wood. It sits as an overshot water wheel. The shaft is made of fir wood. It is about 3.0 meters long. The wheel consists of eight main arms and 16 auxiliary arms. It has 84 cast iron buckets. The buckets are fitted into the wheel rims.
Mineral-rich seepage water constantly wet the wheel. This protected it from decay. Intermittent rotation helped maintain its functionality. This explains how the wheel survived. It was rediscovered in the 1950s.
The Radstubenkomplex is part of the Freiberg University of Mining and Technology’s research and teaching mine. The wheel was overhauled. Accessibility was improved. Two rooms were created for visitors. They offer information about the impact mill and wet stamping mill. They also explain the water supply system.
The Turmhofer Wäsche ceased operation in 1889. In 1913, the facilities were shut down. The water wheel was rediscovered in 1954. In 2014, the Turmhofer Pochwerksrad working group was founded. The facility was restored. The visitor operation was restarted.
As you stand here, imagine the Turmhofer Wäsche in its prime. The rhythmic pounding of the stamp mill echoes. The splash of water fills the air. This was a vital hub in Freiberg’s silver mining industry. The Turmhofer Pochwerksrad stands as a testament to ingenuity. It showcases the enduring power of water.