Müllenarker mill
For the 2nd half of the 9th century, a mill (= mole) with an upstream water weir (= ark) stood in the vicinity of the later Müllenark Castle. The noble family of Müllenark is named after this mill.
The mill is first mentioned as a grain mill in the Jülich Rentmeister invoice of 1434/35.
The mill in its present form was built in the 17th and 18th centuries as a flour mill. The mill, which until 1798 was the forced mill for the neighbouring villages, was powered by the water of the Lendersdorf mill pond, which was regulated by a weir. Further conversions followed before the middle of the 19th century. In 1820 the mill was operated with two water wheels and by 1830 with three undershot water wheels. At this time, it had two grinding gears, an oil press and a wood cutter (saw) and played a central role in the local economy.
The four buildings of the mill yard form an irregular brick complex.
The outer wall of the pond side, originally made entirely of sandstone, is still preserved in the basement.
The wall thickness of the mill wheel is impressive – it is one metre thick.
The two-storey building with its mansard hipped roof as well as the windows and doors, which are partly made of sandstone and partly of wood, has been faithfully restored or has been preserved in its original condition.
Inside the mill, the original spatial concept of a residential mill is still visible. Elements such as the crane and grinder, which once formed the heart of the mill’s function, are still present and bear witness to the craftsmanship and technical expertise of the time.
The well, strategically placed within the drive room, is not only to protect the water supply throughout the year, but also provided protection against sabotage, which was crucial in times of war.
The Müllenark mill is not only an architectural monument, but also a piece of living history. In the 1990s, the property was extensively renovated by the owner. The mill wheel is functional, but no longer in operation due to the lack of water supply.