Historical Mill of Park Sanssouci

Frederick the Great was bothered by the rattle of the mill sails. He demanded to knock down the mill. But miller Grävenitz threatened the king with the Berlin Superior Court of Justice and could keep his mill – it is a story often told but not the truth. Even before the construction of Sanssouci Palace a windmill was built there in 1738. About 50 years later the old mill was replaced with a windmill of dutch type. The mill ground cereals till 1858. Only a few years later, the windmill was declared a historic monument. It could be visited from time to time till its destruction on World War II. Today the mill is completely reconstructed. If there is enough wind you can see the mill at work. The permanent exhibition informs about the history and presence of mills on three levels.