Bad Nauheim Restores Historic Windmill

A society in Bad Nauheim, Germany, restored a historic windmill at the local Gradierwerk—a salt evaporation plant—to working order. The windmill, a landmark of the town’s salt production history, had its sails destroyed in a storm in 1824. A local association, Wind- und Wasserkunst, took on the project when the city said it lacked funds.

The group secured roughly one million euros in funding through donations and a grant from the Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz. A company specializing in mill construction rebuilt the internal mechanisms, and new sails—each ten meters long—are now being installed. The reconstructed mill closely resembles the original from 1747, using wooden frames and canvas.

The restored windmill will demonstrate how wind power once drove pumps to move brine to the Gradierwerke. Though the salt works closed mid-century due to financial difficulties, the Gradierwerke now benefit public health, offering breathable, salt-rich air. The association continues to seek funding for ongoing maintenance and public access.