38th Mühlenmarkt Oppelhain (Whit Monday)

Paltrockwindmühle Oppelhain — Industrial Monument with History

The Paltrockwindmühle Oppelhain looks back on a varied history. It was erected in 1832 as a post mill in Königsberg (Pomerania), then moved to Grassau in Lower Lusatia. In 1934 it received its current form as a Paltrockwindmühle. After decades of neglect, the municipality of Rückersdorf took over the mill in 1997. After extensive restoration, it was ceremonially reopened on May 26, 2001, as the "Neumann-Mühle" — named after its last private owner. Today it is a listed building and can be visited by appointment from March to October.

Whit Monday Mill Market for Almost 40 Years

The Mühlenmarkt Oppelhain is a traditional Whit Monday festival that has attracted visitors from the Elbe-Elster district and neighboring regions for decades. With its 38th edition in 2026, the festival is one of the oldest farmers' and local markets in the southern Brandenburg Elster landscape. The organizers are the Friends of the Paltrockwindmühle and the Municipality of Rückersdorf.

"In the Shadow of the Paltrockwindmühle"

The program motto "in the shadow of the Paltrockwindmühle" programmatically describes the concept: markets, demonstrations, and cultural programs take place directly at the foot of the historic mill. Farmers and direct marketers from the Elbe-Elster district present their products — sausages, cheese, honey, bread, jam, spirits. In addition, there are mill tours — the mill is operational and demonstrates the old craft of milling. For families, there are play activities, a children's program, and a traditional folk festival atmosphere.

In the Elbe-Elster District and the Elster Landscape

Rückersdorf belongs to the Elbe-Elster district — a district in southern Brandenburg on the border with Saxony. The Elster landscape is a gently rolling, agriculturally characterized region with numerous mills, ironworks, and small industrial buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. The Mühlenmarkt Oppelhain is one of the flagship events of this regional identity.