Like all bark mills of that time, the Goslar bark mill was used to grind oak, spruce, and fir bark. This process allowed people to extract the tannic acid needed for leather production in the Middle Ages. The earliest tanning mills used pestles to pound and crush the bark. In another process, the bark was ground using millstones, which allowed for a finer-textured product.
Since the old artisanal tanning mills lost their significance toward the end of the 19th century, mills of this type with preserved equipment are now rarities in the history of technology. Of the 40 tanning mills that once existed in Goslar, this is the only remaining one with its preserved and operational pounding mechanism, making it unique in Germany. It underwent extensive restoration between 2011 and 2013.
Its most distinctive feature is its technical equipment, which is still almost completely intact; even when not in operation, it impressively demonstrates how power was transmitted from the waterwheel to the individual pieces of equipment solely through a complex system of gears.
Eligibility
Target Group Adult
Target Group Family
Target Group the Elderly
for Groups
for individual guests
Foreign Language
- German
Directions & Parking facilities
- Near the Kaiserpfalz parking lot.
Social Media
Price info
chargeable
Regular guided tours, including a demonstration of the mill in operation, are offered on the first Saturday of every month at 3:00 p.m. The cost to participate in a guided tour is 4 euros per person. Additional tours can be requested at any time!
