Historic Windmill

The windmill at Sanssouci Palace is among the best-known mills in Germany. According to legend, Frederick the Great was bothered by the rattling of the mill and asked the miller Grävenitz to tear it down. When, however, the miller threatened to take the case before the Supreme Court, the king relented. The original adjustable windmill from 1738 was torn down because of dilapidation and it was replaced by a windmill in the Dutch style in 1787-91. After the mill shut down in 1858, it was declared a monument in 1861 and was intermittently open for viewing until its destruction in April 1945. Reconstruction began at the beginning of the 1980s. The craftsman’s museum planned by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce was not realized. However, in 1993, construction was far enough advanced by Potsdam’s millennial celebration that the sails could turn again for the first time. The mill is a functioning technical museum, where wind power has been used to grind grain into groats and flour since 2003. As an artisan mill, it contributes to the intangible cultural heritage of the traditional miller's craft.

The Historic Windmill Association offers the following group tour:

• Historic Windmill
  Highlights of the guided tour: Gallery Floor, Grinding Floor, Floor Boards and Dresser Floor, work stations & workshops (for e.g. an incentive day with the team or colleagues)
• Educational programs and guided tours for schools, students, playschool and other educational institutions (only available in german language)