Technology Museum in Action - Historic Birgel Water Mill

Experience the largest operating technology museum

Dive into the living past at our historic Birgel Water Mill! On selected days, the technology museum comes alive and takes you on a journey back to the times when mills, stationary engines, and steam engines led the way to progress.

Be amazed by the impressive variety of our fully functional machines: from the majestic steam engine built in 1917, to the mechanical oil press that has been producing fresh oil for over 130 years, and the three-story grain mill that forms the heart of the mill. Every detail tells a story of craftsmanship, ingenuity, and hard work.

YouTube Video: New from 2025: The Technology Museum of the Historic Birgel Water Mill

Prices:

Adults €12.00

Children 3 – 14 years €7

Family ticket €30

Free admission on Pentecost weekend (May 24 - 25, 2026)

Additional programs: €25 per person, €6 single price

Distillery & brewery tour including tasting: €6 single price, €10 combo ticket

Always from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, last admission 3:00 PM.

Contact:

Historic Birgel Water Mill

Phone: +49 6597 92820

Email: info@muehlebirgel.de

All attractions can be admired in full operation

Steam Engine

Admire the fully functional steam engine, built in 1917. The machine, with an output of 80KW, was disassembled by us and rebuilt in our mill.

Mechanical Oil Press

Freshly pressed oil has been produced with this oil press for over 130 years. For rapeseed oil, it achieves a capacity of 300 liters per day.

Mill Wheel

Alongside the oil press and steam engine, the mill wheel is another historic tool that can be admired in full function.

Mechanical Lathe

Our lathe, powered by the steam engine, is suitable for milling, drilling, and working with metal.

Mustard Mill

In our mustard mill, powered by a 100-year-old Peugeot engine, we still produce our legendary mill mustard today.

Grain Mill

Another highlight of our historic water mill is the grain mill. It stretches over three floors. Watch the process of flour production from start to finish.

Water Turbine

The water turbine is the heart of the grain mill. With 25 horsepower, it ensures that up to 7000 kilograms of flour can be milled in one grinding operation.

Grinding Machine

In our grinding machine, grains are crushed into grist, preparing them for further processing.

Diesel Generators & Motors

Many of our attractions are powered by old generators and motors, giving an impression of how manual work was replaced by machines.

Brewing House

In our brewing house, you learn how monks brewed beer over 150 years ago. Today, we brew our delicious mill beer here.

Distillery

In the wood-fired distillery, our delicious mill schnapps is distilled using specially prepared mash.

Children’s program: Bread baking

We show you how bread is traditionally baked in a wood oven. Naturally, with our own mill flour.

Children’s program: Making muesli

Together you create your own muesli with us. Oat flakes are hand-beaten and then mixed with other ingredients.

Children’s program: Making mustard

We make your own mustard together according to your taste and using our mill ingredients.

Children’s program: Oil pressing

You don’t need heavy equipment to press oil. We show you how to make your own cooking oil with just a few simple steps.