Have you spotted it yet? That quaint windmill perched atop the hill in Speckenbütteler Park? This is no ordinary structure. It is the Bockwindmühle Speckenbüttel.
Let’s step back to 1984. The Bauernhausverein Lehe e.V. decided to rebuild a Bockwindmühle. They used an 18th-century mill from Wehden as a model. This mill stands as a testament to their dedication.
But there’s more to the story. Before this replica, another Bockwindmühle stood here since 1935. Sadly, in 1942, it was destroyed by a fire. Then a replacement Erdholländer windmill from Holßel suffered a similar fate in 1983. It was burnt down by New Year’s Eve rockets.
The Bockwindmühle Speckenbüttel is a unique type of windmill. Its entire body pivots on an oak frame. This allows it to face the wind. Imagine the miller carefully turning the mill to catch the breeze. The Bockwindmühle is the predecessor to nearly all later windmill designs.
Around 1750, many Bockwindmühlen were replaced by Holländermühlen. These were easier to operate and more efficient. Only the cap with the sails needed to be turned. However, the internal milling technology remained similar.
Let’s talk about the Bockwindmühle Speckenbüttel’s construction. It features a housing called a “Mahlkasten”. This sits on a wooden frame. The frame allows the mill to swivel. A tail pole supports the housing. The tail also allows the operators to turn the mill.
Inside the Mahlkasten, you will find two levels. The lower level is the bagging floor. The upper level houses the sail shaft. It also has the spur wheel. This gear redirects the horizontal rotation vertically. It powers the millstones. A sack winch sits at the back of the mill.
The Bockwindmühle Speckenbüttel’s design has ancient roots. Its origins trace back to the Mediterranean. It likely arrived in Northern Europe during the Crusades.
This mill is a replica of one that operated in Lehe from 1720. In 1877, it was sold to Wehden. The “Männer vom Morgenstern” meticulously documented it in 1931. These plans became the basis for the 1985/86 reconstruction.
While the Bockwindmühle Speckenbüttel’s machinery exists, it is not operational. But you can still admire it from the outside. The building houses a small museum.
Take a moment to appreciate the ingenuity. The Bockwindmühle Speckenbüttel is more than just a windmill. It is a symbol of perseverance and a reminder of our past. A visit offers a glimpse into a time when wind power shaped the landscape.