Walkstrom

Gazing at the Walkstrom, can you imagine it powering the mills of old Erfurt? This seemingly tranquil waterway, the Walkstrom, holds a vibrant history. It’s more than just a picturesque stream. It’s a testament to Erfurt’s ingenuity and a key part of its medieval heritage. The Walkstrom, an arm of the Gera river, winds its way through the western part of Erfurt. Its name likely originates from the fulling mills that once lined its banks. These mills played a vital role in the city’s thriving textile industry. They were used to process wool and leather. Imagine the rhythmic thud of the fulling hammers. Picture workers busily transforming raw materials into high-quality fabrics. The Walkstrom wasn’t just a source of power. It was a vital artery in a complex water management system that dates back to the High Middle Ages. Detailed plans of this system, including its many waterworks, are preserved in the Erfurt city archives. These records allow for a precise reconstruction of the original mill races and water ditches. Many of these are now hidden beneath the modern cityscape. The Walkstrom follows a path parallel to several streets: Espachstrasse, Gustav-Adolf-Strasse, Melanchthonstrasse, and Fischersand. It branches off from the Gera river in the southwest of Erfurt, between Cyriakstrasse and Espachstrasse. The Espach weir and Espach pond controlled the water flow. The Walkstrom flowed towards the Lange Brücke (Long Bridge). There it rejoined the Gera to form the Breitstrom. This Breitstrom then flowed through the heart of Erfurt’s old town. Another branch, the Karthäuserfluss (Carthusian River), carried water to the moats of the city fortifications. Its gated passage through the city wall was called the Halbmondsschleuse (Half-Moon Sluice). This sluice allowed fresh water to flow into the moat. The Karthäusermühle (Carthusian Mill) stood just outside the city walls. Downstream, a connecting ditch, the Hanegraben, supplied the artisan quarter with water. The mill race then split. It formed the Walkstrom (west) and the Hirschlache (east). The Walkstrom powered the Neuwerksmühle (New Work Mill). Further downstream, it powered the Walkmühle, from which it takes its name. Yet another weir diverted water to the Angraben, which powered the Geringsmühle (Small Mill) and flowed into the Gera at the Vogelsbrücke (Bird’s Bridge). The Walkstrom also flowed into the Wilde Gera (Wild Gera) at the Rosswehr (Horse Weir). A sluice could divert water from the Walkstrom into the Breitstrom’s mill race. This section of the Wilde Gera, from Lutherstrasse onwards, was filled in as early as 1898. So, as you stand by the Walkstrom, remember its significance. It’s a quiet reminder of Erfurt’s industrious past.