“A majestic sandstone giant it stands” Pedersker Kirkemølle greets you. Its whitewashed walls bask in the Bornholm sun. This isn’t just any windmill. This is a piece of Bornholm’s history. Built in 1861 it replaced a much older stub mill. The new mill was quite something. A circular Dutch-type mill. Fifteen ells high to the cap. It had four floors. Inside were three grain mills and a hulling/pilling/grinding mill. Quite the machinery.
The Marker family ran Pedersker Kirkemølle for generations. Three of them in fact. From 1867 to 1959. They expanded and modernized it. They added a lot of equipment. The mill stopped operating in 1969. It’s a testament to their work that so much of the original machinery remains.
Originally the sails were cloth sails. They were replaced in 1899 with self-furling sails. The sails opened and closed depending on the wind’s strength. Until 1908 the miller manually turned the sails to face the wind. Then a windrose was installed. It made the sails self-steering. The mill was raised by three ells that year. A few years earlier a glow-head motor had been put in a new addition to the grain store. In 1932 a 34 horsepower Ruston Hornsby diesel engine was added. It still runs today. After that no changes were made to the mill. From 1959 until it closed the mill was only powered by the engine.
Today Pedersker Kirkemølle stands as a symbol of Bornholm’s past. A reminder of a time when windmills were essential. Local materials were used in its construction. The local sandstone makes it one of the oldest surviving stone mills on the island. It is now a preserved testament to Bornholm’s rich milling heritage. The Pedersker Local Association bought the mill and the storehouse in 1982. They have worked hard to preserve this architectural gem for future generations. Despite some damage from fungus the mill remains a picturesque landmark. A must-see for anyone visiting this charming corner of Bornholm. So take a moment to appreciate this beautiful building. Imagine the generations of millers who worked here. Imagine the sounds of the grinding stones. Imagine the wind filling the sails.