Bechs Mølle (Bech's Windmill) is a

post mill The post mill is the earliest type of European windmill. Its defining feature is that the whole body of the mill that houses the machinery is mounted on a single vertical post, around which it can be turned to bring the sails into the wind. All p ...

located in

Svaneke Svaneke (''Swencke'' in 1410, from old Danish ''swan'' swan and ''*wīka'' inlet) is a small town on the eastern coast of the Baltic island of Bornholm, Denmark. It lies mainly in Svaneke parish and partly in Ibsker parish. It is Denmark's east ...

on the

Danish Danish may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to the country of Denmark People * A national or citizen of Denmark, also called a "Dane," see Demographics of Denmark * Culture of Denmark * Danish people or Danes, people with a Danish ance ...

island of

Bornholm Bornholm () is a Danish island in the Baltic Sea, to the east of the rest of Denmark, south of Sweden, northeast of Germany and north of Poland. Strategically located, Bornholm has been fought over for centuries. It has usually been ruled by ...

. Built in 1629, it is the oldest standing windmill in Denmark. In recent years, extensive restoration work has been carried out, preserving as far as possible the old structure and machinery.

History

Built in 1629, the post mill on Svaneke's Møllebakken is the oldest standing windmill in Denmark. In the 17th century, it was one of three mills on the northern fringe on Svaneke. David Wolfsen had the mill built and was the first owner. In 1737, a rich inhabitant of Svaneke, Jochum Thiesen, bought the mill, inscribing his and his wife's names on the main beam. After it had changed hands several times, Anders Hansen Kofoed from

Nexø Nexø, sometimes spelled Neksø ( sv, Nexö), is a town on the east coast of the Baltic island of Bornholm, Denmark. With a population of 3,668 (as of 1 January 2022), it is the second largest town, as well as the largest fishing port on the is ...

bought it in 1793 and in 1814 passed it on to his daughter and his son-in-law Hans Bentzen Bech, from whom the mill takes its name. His son, Peder Hansen Bech was the next to run the mill. It was he who from 1848 to 1860 built the house with a bakery which now stands opposite the mill.Niels-Holger Larsen, "Historie - Svaneke stubmølle – Bech’s mølle"
Retrieved 4 November 2012. The mill was first next to the cliff top but was moved when the road was laid in 1866. On that occasion, it was positioned on a foundation about one metre high, enlarged and equipped with the latest fittings. Surprisingly, there were four flour grinders in what was technically a primitive mill. P. H. Bech's son, Peter Emilius Hansen Bech, acquired the mill in 1880 and operated it until he died in 1934. He had however sold it to Foreningen Bornholm in 1928 who thereafter cared for its upkeep. The mill which still has wooden sails remained in service until 1928. In 1975 it was transferred to Byforeningen Svanekes Venner who are still the owners. Major restoration work was carried out in 1972–73 and again in 2002–2007. It has been a listed building since 1960.Lise Andersen, "Bechs Mølle i Svaneke"
Kulturarv.dk. Retrieved 4 November 2012. In addition to Bechs Mølle, there are two other post mills on Bornholm,

Egeby Mølle Egeby Mølle (Egeby Windmill) is a post mill located east of Aakirkeby on the Danish island of Bornholm. Built in 1787, it remained in service until the late 1920s. History First built in 1787, in connection with a move in 1794 which brought ...

and

Tejn Mølle Tejn Mølle (Tejn Windmill), also known as Melsted Stubmølle, is a post mill on the Danish island of Bornholm. It was recently moved from Tejn on the west coast to Melstedgård near Gudhjem where it is part of Bornholms Landbrugsmuseum (Bornhol ...

, both listed. Bechs Mølle is however the oldest and largest of the three."Svaneke Stubmølle"
Kulturarv Bornholm. Retrieved 5 November 2012.

The mill today

The windmill has been well preserved. Much of the original structure and machinery has been retained. However, while it is in a good state of repair, it is no longer functional. Foreningen Bornholm and Svanekes Venner continue to care for the upkeep of which is considered to be a highly valuable monument. Positioned next to the road from Svaneke to

Gudhjem Gudhjem is a small town and fishing port on the northern coast of the Baltic island of Bornholm, Denmark. Its population is 736 (1 January 2022). Gudhjem is a popular venue for tourists who are attracted by its steep, picturesque streets, views ...

, it is easily accessible but normally remains closed to visitors.

References

External links

Niels-Holger Larsen, ''Historie - Svaneke stubmølle – Bech’s mølle''
10 pages of history with illustrations.
Niels.Holger Larsen, ''Svaneke Submølle: Ny ås - Nye vinger - Konserveret inventar, 2006 -2007''
19-page report on recent restoration work with illustrations. {{DEFAULTSORT:Bechs Molle Bornholm Listed buildings and structures in Bornholm Buildings and structures completed in 1629 Post mills in Denmark Windmills completed in 1629 1629 establishments in Denmark Listed windmills in Denmark

History

The mill today

See also

References

External links