Storys by the rushing brook
For centuries, people in the rainy Bergisches Land region have harnessed the power of water. More than a thousand mills once clattered between the Wupper and Sieg rivers. Around 30 mill sites can still be found in the municipality of Kürten alone. Some were used to grind grain, while others used water power to crush animal bones into fertilizer or produce the highly explosive black powder. Sawmills and hammer mills also used to be powered by water wheels on streams and rivers.
The Kürten Mill Trail accompanies hikers on a 13.8-kilometre circular tour to the traces of ten historic mill sites. There are exciting facts to learn about the history of the mills as well as historic mill buildings to discover. Some are still largely preserved in their original state, while others live on in the names of historic restaurants or individual locations. The way the different types of mills work is explained on the richly illustrated information boards along the way, as are anecdotes and idioms in which Bergisch mill history is still alive today. After all, even in the 21st century: First come, first served...
The trail has a total of 6 information boards. We would like to thank Barbara Klein, who looks after the trail as a volunteer trail patron. There is a small plaque with a QR code at the start information board on the mill trail, which takes you directly to a quiz. All you need to do to take part is scan the QR code.
The Kürten Mill Trail accompanies hikers on a 13.8-kilometre circular tour to the traces of ten historic mill sites. There are exciting facts to learn about the history of the mills as well as historic mill buildings to discover. Some are still largely preserved in their original state, while others live on in the names of historic restaurants or individual locations. The way the different types of mills work is explained on the richly illustrated information boards along the way, as are anecdotes and idioms in which Bergisch mill history is still alive today. After all, even in the 21st century: First come, first served...
The trail has a total of 6 information boards. We would like to thank Barbara Klein, who looks after the trail as a volunteer trail patron. There is a small plaque with a QR code at the start information board on the mill trail, which takes you directly to a quiz. All you need to do to take part is scan the QR code.
