Mühlenfest Eystrup (Whit Monday)

German Mill Day — Nationwide on Whit Monday

The German Mill Day has taken place every year on Whit Monday since 1994 and, with well over a thousand participating mills, is Germany's largest local heritage event. Wind, water, and motor mills open their doors, often for the only time of the year, showcasing the milling craft and the technology of historic installations.

Eystrup Gallery Dutch Windmill

The Eystrup Gallery Dutch Windmill is one of the impressive technical monuments in the Nienburg/Weser district. It is a Dutch windmill with a revolving gallery, from which the sails were previously turned into the wind. The Eystrup association Eystruper Mühlenfreunde e.V. saved the mill from decay and partially restored it to working order as an industrial monument.

On-site Program

At the Mühlenfest, the mill presents itself with all doors open: guided tours through the interior up to the upper grinding floor, demonstrations of historic craft techniques (spinning, blacksmithing, basket weaving), refreshments with homemade bread and flour specialties from the mill's flour, family activities with children's events centered around the mill, grain, and the miller. The Mill Friends are available to answer questions about the history and technology.

Guided Mill Bike Tour approx. 60 km

In parallel, the Grafschaft Hoya Tourist Information offers a guided bike tour of about 60 km through the mill landscape of the Grafschaft Hoya. The tour starts at 10 a.m. at the "Alten Güterschuppen" (Old Goods Shed) at Bahnhofstraße 8 in Eystrup. The tour leads to several historic wind and water mills in the region, making Mill Day a full-day experience.

Mills as Regional Identity

The Grafschaft Hoya and the western Nienburg district were a mill region until the 20th century — almost every village had its wind or water mill. Today, only a few remain. The Mühlenfest and the Mill Bike Day significantly contribute to keeping this identity alive and passing it on to future generations.