Reitbrooker Mühle

In 1870, a fiery tragedy struck Reitbrooker Mühle. The original mill, built in 1773, was reduced to ashes. From those ashes, a new mill arose, the Reitbrooker Mühle you see before you today. This “Galerieholländer” mill boasts a two-story brick base topped with an octagonal wooden structure. Its cap, where the 12.50-meter-long wings are attached, turns to face the wind. Reitbrooker Mühle is one of nine windmills remaining in Hamburg. It’s also the only one with its original wings. The mill stands proudly on the banks of the Dove Elbe in the Marschlanden district of Hamburg. It sits right next to the Reitbrooker Mühlenbrücke, a bridge connecting Reitbrook to Allermöhe across the river. Before this bridge, a ferry crossed the Dove Elbe for centuries. The ferry owner in 1773 obtained permission to construct a windmill. This first mill met its unfortunate end in the fire of 1870, leading to the construction of the current Reitbrooker Mühle. Reitbrooker Mühle transitioned to electric power in the 20th century. The last grinding powered by wind took place in 1938/39. The mill earned landmark status in 1942. Today, Reitbrooker Mühle isn’t just a historic landmark. It houses a business that trades in animal feed and gardening supplies. They also continue the tradition of milling grain here, though powered by electricity. Reitbrooker Mühle remains a working mill, adapting to the times while preserving its legacy. It has been owned by the Timmann family for four generations. Hermann Gustav Timmann purchased it in 1881. This mill has seen Hamburg change and grow around it, a silent witness to the passage of time. Reitbrooker Mühle stands as a proud reminder of Hamburg’s past and a vibrant part of its present.