Image Copyright: J.Braune

A mill in Paretz was first mentioned in the year 1375 in the yearbook of Emperor Karl IV. In the course of redesigning the village of Paretz by King Frederick-William III and Louise Queen of Prussia the mill got its present location. It burnt down in1893. In the same year miller Otto Gr�nefeld dismantled the mill of Etzin and had it rebuilt in Paretz. In 1924 the mill was equipped with an electromotor. In 1943 the movie 'Die Zaubergeige' was shot here among others. The last mill tenant Fr�sdorfbuilt in the forties a 3m high functional post mill. This mill is now locatedin Langerwischnear Potsdam next to a Paltrockm�hle (altered post-mill). Until 1948 the sails of the large Paretzer mill were turning. A strong gust of wind ended this. From then on one kept the mill busy for the next 10 year by electromotor. Then the time of decay began. In 1978 the locksmith assistant Schwetzkefrom Teltow started to rebuilt the ruin. First the chaos was cleared then the truss and roof were completely renewed. Years of individual initiative followed, which was connected with collecting timber.
In five year, using holidays and with the help of the mill builder Zecher and friends the shell was renewed, constructive work done, the cam renewed, new windows added and the massive substructure overhauled. In 1990 new sails were built and attached.

Image Copyright: J.Braune

What has been created in the course of time ?
� an organised, romantic chaos
� a rebuilt mill buildingwith
bear's den, old kitchen, saloon, flour loft,
stone floor and cuckoo's nest
� a fairytale land with carriage, bear's den, tree-house,
railway wagon and other flying buildings
� different kind of collections,
for example old reading books
� books about legends, fairytale books and story books
� washing items, enamel collection, coffeepot collection, historical kitchen equipment, handcart collection, agricultural devices and a collection of everyday itemsand propaganda material from the old GDR.
Unfortunately only a few parts can be exhibited. The other items still have to be restored, indexed and made visible. there is not enough time, shelves, lofts and assistance.

Image Copyright: J.Braune

What can be used right now?
- Open for visitors with and without pre-booking
(until now there were visitors from ca 20 countries from nearly all continents)
- art workshops on weekends
ca. twice a year
- readings of history, stories, legends and fairytales
- mill festival on Whitsun Monday
- New Year's Eve celebration (only for non-smoker)
- picnic area for cyclists, meeting place for boy-scouts
- place for comfortable pensioner, family and birthday celebrations
- old-style baking in a small stone baking oven

Until now simple primitive life has been cultivated (like on Alpine huts). Now preparations are taking place to boost modern conveniences through WC, shower and central heating (all inside the mill).

The texts were kindly made available by:
Willi Schwetzke
Bockwindm�hle Paretz | An der M�hle 6 |14699 Ketzin-Paretz

further information under http://www.muehle-paretz.de