Bienwaldmühle (modern grain mill)

A rest area on the border with a mill and weir with fish ladder on the Lauterlinie. For me it is the outstanding sight here far and wide.Text of the small information board:
“The Bienwaldmühle, first mentioned in a document in 1152, was owned by the Bishopric of Speyer for centuries. This mill location, one of the very first in the Palatinate, was assigned to the Weißenburg Monastery.
In 1618 the mill became private property. The property consisted of a grain mill, oil mill, sawmill and hemp grater.
During the War of the Spanish Succession (1701 - 1714), the Bienwaldmühle was part of the “Lauter Line” established by Marshal de Villars as a fortified base.
A late Baroque mansard building was built here in the middle of the 18th century. In 1942 the damaged building was rebuilt in the old style.
The first water turbine was installed in 1912. The existing grinding aisles were replaced by roller mills. The last of three original Greek-designed water wheels remained until 1930.
The facilities of the grain mill and the hydroelectric power plant have been adapted and modernized to meet technical requirements in recent years.
The Wieslauter still powers the rye and wheat mill to this day. Hydropower also generates electricity for the local grid.
The Bienwaldmühle has been owned by the Rieger family for generations.
Sales of grain and natural food products (west entrance).”

Modern flour mill, old mill site from the 12th century.

The long history of this old mill can be read on an information board at the large entrance gate (near the Lauter). The Rieger family still sells grain there today (to major customers).