German Mill Day – Ostmühle Gildehaus

Nationwide Mill Day

Since the 1990s, German Mill Day has taken place every year on Whit Monday – a nationwide event where hundreds of historic mills open their doors. This makes the milling craft and the technical tradition of wind and water mills visible.

Ostmühle Gildehaus — over 250 years old

The Ostmühle in Gildehaus is a windmill with over 250 years of history. It has been carefully restored and is maintained by the VVV Gildehaus. The mill is one of the most important technical monuments in the Grafschaft Bentheim and belongs to the Mühlenland Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony Mill Region).

Guided Tours of the Mill

On Mill Day, mill keepers offer guided tours of the mill. Visitors learn how the grinding mechanism works, how the grain moves through the milling system, and what tasks the miller had to perform. For many visitors, it is their first encounter with a functioning windmill.

Bakehouse with Fresh Stone-Oven Bread

Next to the mill, a bakehouse is also part of the ensemble. On Mill Day, bakers are at work in the stone oven, serving fresh bread, rolls, and butter cake. The aroma that wafts over the Mühlenberg is one of the special experiences of the day.

Family Program

With mill demonstrations, baking activities, and explanations, Mill Day is a classic family program. Children can experience the milling craft up close, thus developing an awareness of the region's pre-industrial way of life.