Once upon a time, the Schwarzmühlenteich was not just a pond but a bustling hub. Let’s dive into the story of this intriguing place.
The Schwarzmühlenteich is a pond south of Lübeck’s Schlutup district. It is a place where Schleswig-Holstein meets Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The pond’s northwestern part belongs to Lübeck. Its southeastern part lies within Lüdersdorf.
In 1619, this 2.9-hectare pond was dammed to power a walk mill. Picture the scene then. Tuchmachergewerbe or cloth makers were on the rise. The Schwarzmühlenteich became essential for their work.
Originally, it was a natural lake in a closed hollow. The water level sits less than ten meters above sea level. A peninsula covered with deciduous trees juts into the pond from the west. It lies in both states within the siltation area.
Water flows from the Schwarzmühlenteich westward via the Landgraben to the Wakenitz. This section is also called Schlutuper Bach. Northward, water flows via a ditch also known as Schwarzmühlenbach to the Trave. The northern outflow is piped as it crosses a farm.
To the south, on the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern side, a large forest extends. Federal highway 104 runs close to the shore. It follows the former Inner German border strip. On the Lübeck side, you’ll find scattered residential and commercial buildings. About 150 meters northeast is a residential area belonging to Schlutup.
The Schleswig-Holstein part of the Schwarzmühlenteich is within the Schlutup landscape protection area. This covers about 170 hectares.
Typical features of siltation vegetation are water plants, floating turf and reed belts. The surroundings feature fen woodland, buildings and wet grassland. Grazing and trampling on the northern shore cause damage. Angling also impacts the area.
The mill was first given to the St. Annen Monastery’s supervisors. From 1670, it was available to the Raschmacher’s office. The city of Lübeck owned it. They leased this watermill used for crushing rags. They also leased the Schlutup mill. The Schlutup mill made paper. From 1715, they were only leased together. This prevented constant disputes between the two mill operators. The Schwarzmühlenteich’s water was vital for the Schlutup watermill.
After operations ceased in 1798, the Schwarzmühle was demolished in 1816. During the Wars of Liberation, an ambush occurred here on August 22, 1813. It was near the Black Mill. French occupation troops from Lübeck and Danish dragoons were ambushed. Mecklenburg volunteer riflemen attacked. They were part of the Northern Army under Swedish command.
The former mill site is thought to be where a farm now stands. Today, only the pond remains of the former mill complex.
So as you stand here. Remember the Schwarzmühlenteich’s past. It was a site of industry, conflict and borders. Now it offers a peaceful reflection of history. A quiet reminder of the past’s impact on the present.