Windmills

Technical Landmarks with a History

On walks through the rolling countryside, the two remaining windmills catch your eye. It’s worth taking a detour to the Dutch-style windmill in Benz and the block windmill in Pudagla. Do you know the difference between these two types of windmills?

Benz Dutch Windmill

Usedom’s historic Dutch windmill stands majestically on Mühlenberg, serving as a landmark of the town of Benz. Even from a distance, its picturesque sight will captivate you. The Benz windmill was built around 1830 and remained in operation until 1972. Following extensive restoration, the windmill is now fully restored both inside and out. From April through October, you can tour it and learn about the construction and operation of a Dutch-style windmill.

A Source of Inspiration for Artists

The Benzer Dutch windmill also held a great fascination for artists and filmmakers. The German-American artist Lyonel Feininger sketched the mill in 1910 during one of his bicycle tours. In 1968, the Benzer mill served as the filming location for the duel scene in the DEFA film adaptation of Fontane’s novel “Effi Briest.” A stroke of luck for the mill was the Usedom painter Otto Niemeyer-Holstein, who purchased the mill in 1974 and had it restored. In his will, he stipulated that the mill should be preserved as a technical monument.

Benz Dutch Windmill — Filmmakers in Germany ©

A worthwhile destination in the Achterland

During the summer months, the Kulturmühle Benz e.V. association regularly hosts events. On German Mill Day at Pentecost, you can tour the Dutch windmill and watch a demonstration of the grain-milling process. Guided tours are also available on other days by individual arrangement via email. Refuel with coffee and fresh sheet cake in the bakery.

Pudagla Bock windmill

The Pudagla post mill is the only one of its kind in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania that still stands at its original location. From the mid-18th century until 1937, grain was ground on the hill between Achterwasser and Schmollensee. Unlike a Dutch windmill, the sails of a post mill rotate around the post along with the entire structure. Since its restoration in 1997, the post mill has been fully operational again.

Watching the foam grind

Since 2001, the Friends of the Pudagla Bock windmill Association (Freunde des Bockwindmühle Pudagla e.V.) has ensured that the mill is open to the public. From May through September, you’ll always find someone there during opening hours; in the early and late seasons, you can schedule your visit in advance. Be sure to stop by during Easter, Pentecost, the Mill Festival, and Open Monument Day. If there’s enough wind, you’ll see the block windmill in action and can sample bread from the clay oven.