Historic mill in Nespen

The grain mill, first mentioned in 1749, is located in the small village of Nespen in the Reichshof holiday region – in the immediate vicinity of the Wiehl dam with its viewpoint overlooking the Krombacher Island, which is known from advertising.
The mill was powered by a waterwheel drawn from the millpond dammed above it. Today, the entire drive, cleaning, and milling mechanism is fully preserved and can be operated by an electric motor for demonstrations. The adjacent mill café serves guests on weekends and holidays; for groups, the doors are also opened during the week upon request. Every year at Pentecost, the Nespen Mill Society hosts its traditional mill festival. In addition to food and drink, regional musicians provide excellent entertainment throughout the convivial day.

In 2009, the mill changed hands, and Markus Jaeger purchased it from the daughter of miller Wilhelm Braun, awakening it from its 53-year slumber. On October 03.10.2009, 1, the mill doors were opened to the public for the first time. Following this mill festival, 20 enthusiastic visitors gathered, and the group joined the "Bergische Entdecker e.V." (Bergisch Discoverers Association). This association, known as "Mühlenfreunde Nespen" (Friends of the Nespen Mill), serves as the umbrella organization for the mill's activities.
The mill in Nespen is part of the "Mills and Hammers on Both Sides of the Rhine" project, part of the Regionale 2010. The goal of this project and the Nespen Mill Friends is the preservation of cultural heritage.

Since summer 2014, guests at the mill have also been able to enjoy a small mill café with freshly baked cakes and Bergische waffles.

Offers

The mill in Nespen is attracting school classes and groups with its new program "From Seed to Buttered Bread." Historical farming techniques for producing bread and butter have been forgotten. Here, the mill enthusiasts plan to offer a hands-on training course where visitors can become farmers themselves at various stations.

Preparing a field - Sowing - Grain science - Threshing - Separating chaff and wheat - Milling - Baking - Churning butter

The program in the historic setting of the mill lasts approximately 3 hours. The type of instruction varies between a museum-educational approach for children and a more social focus for adults.

Electric charging station for e-bikes
Why not make a stop at the Nespen mill during your bike tour and recharge your e-bike battery free of charge?

Guests can pre-order a picnic basket with Krombacher drinks and a small snack at the mill café of the historic Nespen mill and combine it with their trip to the viewpoint at the Wiehl dam.