Water wheel in Bad Münster: decommissioning and new construction for 195,000 euros!

Water wheel in Bad Münster: decommissioning and new construction for 195,000 euros!

A striking moment for Bad Münster am Stein: The once magnificent water wheel has now been shut down due to significant defects. Located between the Kurmittelhaus and the Nahe, the nine meter large water wheel, which was made from larch wood in 1993, was a popular attraction for tourists and locals. But time has left its mark. According to Antenne KH, metal connections and wooden structures show significant damage. The wheel worked unbalanced and was already grinding on the concrete edging.

A report from 2016 had already shown worrying defects: severe cracking and a lurching rotational movement that had increased over the years. Health and Tourism for Bad Kreuznach GmbH (GuT) felt that safe operation was no longer possible and ultimately had to pull the emergency brake. Regular checks could only delay the closure. “A renovation would not make sense,” said the expert years ago, which has now become a bitter reality.

New building in planning

While the time-honored structure is closed, a new building is on the agenda. A new water wheel is planned for around 195,000 euros and will be built as part of the urban redevelopment of the West. A mill construction specialist company has calculated the cost estimate and ADD approval for this new building has already been received. However, it should be noted that coordination with the monument preservation department is necessary because the water wheel is part of a listed ensemble at the saltworks, although it is not an individual monument, as Nahe News reports.

The water wheel was not only part of the landscape, but also part of the local cultural history. It is part of the rich heritage of watermills, which are considered to be the oldest technical devices for harnessing natural forces. Historically, the water mill technology came to Northern Europe from the Mediterranean region and continued until the 1st century BC. developed. A report on MRH Erlenbach explains that water mills were widespread in Germany, especially in the early Middle Ages. Their construction and functionality are remarkable and form the basis for many later mill systems.

The future of the water wheel

The decision to build a new building and the associated revival of the old mill tradition in Bad Münster am Stein will hopefully come to life soon. Until then, two other water wheels will continue to be in service in the Salinental, which were renovated in 2010 and ensure the operation of the graduation towers. This tradition of water use will remain an important element of the region in the future.

We look forward to the next steps to restore another piece of our history in the Salinental.