Heimatverein Varel e.V.
The Varel Windmill
and
Local History Exhibit
History
Varel`s last count, Gustav Adolf von Bentinck 
built this extraordinary mill 1847. The Grand Duke
of Oldenburg took over possession in 1854, and
throughout the next century a succession of
different owners followed. By 1965, the title of
ownership was finally secured by the City of Varel.
Since then, restoration and conservation efforts for
maintaining this cultural monument have been
placed in the hand of its local citizenry. The Windmill
has been fully restored through successive restoration
phases and great expense. Today, locals can boast of
having Germany`s largest fully operative Dutch-
Gallery Windmill. The local heritage society now
manages the windmill and hosts workshops und
guided tours in the mill structure and its adjacent
outbuildings, with over 1000 craft objects.
This exhibit presents one of the most unique
collections of north-German traditional craft and
local history far ar and wide.
Technology
“Dutch-Gallery” is the technical term given to this
type of windmill towering five stories! The mill`s grinding apparatus originally filled three floors.
Two sets of millstones ground rye, wheat and cattle feed. The reed-thatched dome hovers at
30 meters in height, the gallery at 15.5 meters and with wings, the overall structure stands at
an lofty 39 meters tall. The wing spans 24 meters in width. The largest millstone measures
2.05 meters in diameter and weighs a hefty 4 tons! The stone happens to be the largest mill-
stone known to exist in Germany!
Group bookings
14-days in advance reservation
is recommended
Guided tours
by appointment
Admission is free
Parking
Parking is provided on the mill
premesis and along
adjacent side-streets
Collections of the Varel Heritage Society
focus on the following topics
•
Frisian sports
•
Fishing
•
Traditional crafts
•
Household tools an appliance
•
Brickyard manufacture
•
Beekeeping
•
Flax processing
•
Historic agricultural implements
and vehicles
•
Local industry
•
Dike production
A steam engine and a tobacco cutting machine
will be demonstrated in action.
IThe carriage house is a permanent exhibition:
"The Hansa Car Factory in Varel" and features
restored vehicles manufactured between
1905-1929
Contact:
Heimatverein Varel
Mühlenstraße 52
26316 Varel
Tel.: 04451 - 2539
or the City of Varel
Tel.: 04451 - 126 134
During opening times
please call 04451 - 860801
This mill is an official member of the:
Frisian Windmill Route
Return to Start
Guide
The Varel Windmill
and
Local History Exhibit
History
Varel`s last count, Gustav Adolf von Bentinck
built this extraordinary mill 1847. The Grand Duke
of Oldenburg took over possession in 1854, and
throughout the next century a succession of
different owners followed. By 1965, the title of
ownership was finally secured by the City of Varel.
Since then, restoration and conservation efforts for
maintaining this cultural monument have been
placed in the hand of its local citizenry. The Windmill
has been fully restored through successive restoration
phases and great expense. Today, locals can boast of
having Germany`s largest fully operative Dutch-
Gallery Windmill. The local heritage society now
manages the windmill and hosts workshops und
guided tours in the mill structure and its adjacent
outbuildings, with over 1000 craft objects.
This exhibit presents one of the most unique
collections of north-German traditional craft and
local history far ar and wide.
Technology
“Dutch-Gallery” is the technical term given to this
type of windmill towering five stories! The mill`s grinding apparatus originally filled three floors.
Two sets of millstones ground rye, wheat and cattle feed. The reed-thatched dome hovers at
30 meters in height, the gallery at 15.5 meters and with wings, the overall structure stands at
an lofty 39 meters tall. The wing spans 24 meters in width. The largest millstone measures
2.05 meters in diameter and weighs a hefty 4 tons! The stone happens to be the largest mill-
stone known to exist in Germany!
Group bookings
14-days in advance reservation
is recommended
Guided tours
by appointment
Admission is free
Parking
Parking is provided on the mill
premesis and along
adjacent side-streets
Collections of the Varel Heritage Society
focus on the following topics
•
Frisian sports
•
Fishing
•
Traditional crafts
•
Household tools an appliance
•
Brickyard manufacture
•
Beekeeping
•
Flax processing
•
Historic agricultural implements
and vehicles
•
Local industry
•
Dike production
A steam engine and a tobacco cutting machine
will be demonstrated in action.
IThe carriage house is a permanent exhibition:
"The Hansa Car Factory in Varel" and features
restored vehicles manufactured between
1905-1929
Contact:
Heimatverein Varel
Mühlenstraße 52
26316 Varel
Tel.: 04451 - 2539
or the City of Varel
Tel.: 04451 - 126 134
During opening times
please call 04451 - 860801
This mill is an official member of the:
Frisian Windmill Route
Return to Start
Guide