Green roof, no sails. Does something seem strange about the Osdorfer Mühle? This is no ordinary windmill. It is a piece of history that has adapted to the times. The Osdorfer Mühle stands as a proud landmark in Hamburg-Osdorf.
Built in 1888, the Galerieholländer-Windmühle was the vision of Wilhelm Johannsen. He hailed from St. Margarethen in Schleswig-Holstein. But this mill’s story began before its Osdorf chapter. It was originally built in Büttel. It was then carefully dismantled and transported to its new home.
Imagine the scene. Farmers from Osdorf and nearby areas brought their grain to be ground. In 1922, the Spar- und Darlehenskasse took over the mill’s operation. Storms often damaged its sails. Repairs became too much. A motor was installed shortly before World War II. The Osdorfer Mühle ceased operation after the war. It served as a warehouse until the 1960s. Yet it remained a symbol of Osdorf.
The mill has seen its share of drama. In 1978, a fire broke out. The structure survived. The flames spared the sails. New sails came from a mill in Hochdonn in 1970. The sails were replaced again in 1982.
From 1982, the Osdorfer Mühle became a discotheque. Later, it was converted into restaurants. A fish restaurant was the first. Since 1991, it has been home to the Restaurant Don Quichotte. Live music and jazz evenings fill the air here. A print shop occupies the front building.
In 2006, donations from the Bürger- und Heimatverein Osdorf helped restore the sails. They were in place until at least 2016. Currently, they are stored next to the mill. The building also underwent renovations. The mill celebrated its 120th anniversary in 2009 with a mill festival. This celebration was repeated several times.
Even a kitchen fire in November 2020 couldn’t keep it down. The restaurant’s interior was renovated. The outdoor area was expanded. A new canopy now covers the terrace.
The Osdorfer Mühle has evolved. It has transformed from a working mill to a social hub. It is now a restaurant. It hosts events. It is a testament to Osdorf’s enduring spirit. The Osdorfer Mühle stands as a reminder of the past. It is a vibrant part of the present. It is ready for the future.