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Germany
Bavaria
Upper Bavaria
Landkreis Berchtesgadener Land
Marktschellenberg

Untersberg Marble Ball Mill (Kugelmühle) Marktschellenberg

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Untersberg Marble Ball Mill (Kugelmühle) Marktschellenberg

Recommended by 1427 hikers out of 1478

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    Best Hikes to Untersberg Marble Ball Mill (Kugelmühle) Marktschellenberg

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    1. View of the Almbach Valley – Low Tunnel in Almbach Gorge loop from Unterau

    10.7km

    04:10

    490m

    490m

    Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

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    Hard

    Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

    Moderate

    Moderate hike. Great for any fitness level. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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    Tips

    June 14, 2017

    Here is the last, still in operation marble ball mill in Germany. It is explained very informatively, how marble marbles are created with the power of water:

    First, the marble tresses are collected and carved. Then the cubic marble pieces come into the ball mill.

    This special construction consists of the lower, fixed grindstone (hard sandstone from the Obersalzberg) and the upper turntable (made of beech wood), on which the waterwheel (made of larch wood) is tapped.

    The grinding time is 2-8 days, depending on the size. Then the balls have to be polished and polished before you can buy them as an original and valuable souvenir for the ones who stayed at home or as a souvenir of beautiful days in the Berchtesgadener Land at the kiosk.

    Source and more information at: gasthaus-kugelmuehle.de/muehle.php

    Tip: In the associated inn there are fantastic giant puffs

    Translated by Google •

      February 24, 2017

      Here is the entrance to the Almbachklamm where the ticket booth is. Here is also a good restaurant to stop off.

      Translated by Google •

        January 28, 2017

        On the riverside, this quaint inn in a wood-and-brick country house is 7 km from the nearest town, Berchtesgaden, and 12 km from 17th-century Hellbrunn Castle

        Translated by Google •

          July 7, 2017

          Great inn with good food! Right at the entrance to the Almbachklamm!

          Translated by Google •

            October 5, 2017

            A nice ending here after a nice round, with good food and very friendly staff.

            Translated by Google •

              August 16, 2017

              The last ball mill in Germany.

              Translated by Google •

                December 14, 2017

                All information about the inn can be found here:
                gasthaus-kugelmuehle.de

                Translated by Google •

                  June 25, 2018

                  Attention!
                  No EC card payment possible

                  Translated by Google •

                    July 6, 2018

                    The oldest marble ball mill in Germany. Technology from days gone by that just thrilled.

                    Translated by Google •

                      August 27, 2017

                      There are no feed bases in the gorge ... so cover it accordingly beforehand.

                      Translated by Google •

                        August 24, 2017

                        Here, stones are ground into balls

                        Translated by Google •

                          August 2, 2019

                          Super interesting destination for the whole family.

                          Translated by Google •

                            December 14, 2017

                            The ball mill is not the last ball mill in Germany! Also in Neidlingen (Swabian Alb) there is a ball mill still in operation. More information about this mill can be found here:
                            kugelmuehle-neidlingen.de

                            Translated by Google •

                              September 18, 2018

                              A really large selection of dishes at absolutely reasonable prices between 10 and 20 euros. In addition still very friendly service.

                              Translated by Google •

                                May 2, 2020

                                A must if I am always in the country!

                                Translated by Google •

                                  July 16, 2020

                                  Very impressive how the balls are made ... and that with the power of the water alone!

                                  Translated by Google •

                                    February 24, 2022

                                    The ball mills were built in 1683 and are among the oldest commercial enterprises in what is now Bavaria. Marbles (marbles), once popular primarily as children's toys, were sent all over the world. They were exported mainly to the East and West Indies via Rotterdam and London, around 600 to 800 and sometimes even 1000 hundredweight a year. They were welcome as cargo for sailing ships because their high density made them suitable as ballast. The last marbles went from here to London in 1921.

                                    Around the middle of the last century, the Almbach was still running around 40 ball mills, with another 90 in the area. They were mainly run by poor mountain farmers. Today a ball mill is operated primarily as an attraction.
                                    Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Untersberger_Marmorkugelm%C3%BChlen

                                    Translated by Google •

                                      September 24, 2022

                                      At the entrance to the Almbachklamm there is still the Berchtesgaden ball mill. The hydropower of the Almbach enables the production of balls, marbles or shots - that's the name of the round balls cut from marble stone. Ball mills have been used to make this toy for a long time. There used to be around 130 ball mills in Marktschellenberg! One can still be seen today.

                                      Translated by Google •

                                        September 24, 2022

                                        The ball mill

                                        The Untersberger marble ball mills were founded in 1683 and are among the oldest businesses in Bavaria.
                                        From here, the marbles (also known as marbles, shooters or kickers), which are particularly popular as children's toys, once went all over the world. They were mainly exported to the East and West Indies via Rotterdam and London.

                                        Around 600 to 800 and sometimes even 1,000 hundredweight a year (1 hundredweight corresponds to approx. 1000 pieces).
                                        They were very welcome as cargo in sailing ships, as they were excellently suited as ballast because they were so heavy that they took up little space.
                                        The last marbles made from Untersberg marble went from here to London in 1921.
                                        Around the middle of the last century, the Almbach was still driving around 40 ball mills, with a further 90 in the area.

                                        Translated by Google •

                                          December 14, 2017

                                          The ball mill is not the last ball mill in Germany! There is also a ball mill in Neidlingen (Swabian Alb) that is still in operation. More information about this mill can be found here:
                                          kugelmuehle-neidlingen.de

                                          Translated by Google •

                                            December 14, 2017

                                            Marble balls of various sizes can be purchased in the souvenir shop.

                                            Translated by Google •

                                              The Marktschellenberg ball mill is the last of its kind. However, it is operated more as an attraction for the guests of the inn and the guesthouse "Zur Kugelmühle". The way to the Almbachklamm also leads past it.

                                              Translated by Google •

                                                July 6, 2023

                                                There is free parking at the ball mill. You can start the hike through the Almbachklamm directly behind the mill. The ball mill is the last mill in Germany that still produces marble balls.
                                                You can eat very well and relatively cheaply at the mill. I can highly recommend this inn.

                                                Translated by Google •

                                                  July 17, 2016

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                                                    Elevation 490 m

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                                                    Location: Marktschellenberg, Landkreis Berchtesgadener Land, Upper Bavaria, Bavaria, Germany

                                                    Other Popular Places to Check Out

                                                    Unterberger Marble Mill (Untersberger Marmorkugelmühle)

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