Die Stadtparkbrücke und die Dreysemühle

A virtual cache at a lovely place in Sömmerda. Enjoy the view and then have fun searching for the cache.

"In 1901 the city of Sömmerda bought the area between river Unstrut and rectory (30 acres) in order to provide its citizens a public city park. A city park bridge crossing the mill race of the Unstrut leading to the new park was planned in the following year and was built in the summer months. Hermann Martini jun., a manufacturer of clay bricks, donated beautiful colored bricks for the roof of the bridge. On 11. Sep. 1904 the city Park bridge was inaugurated with a concert.

After a first restoration in 1987 a second restoration had become necessary. The decision was to repair the footbridge including retaining walls and banks before Easter 2012. On 02. Apr. 2012 the bridge was removed." (source)

In September of the very same year, the restorated bridge was put back in its original place over the mill race. At the same time the area between the bridge and the mill was renewed.

"A first documentary mention of a fulling mill is dated to the year 1388. In 1841 Dreyse aquired the mill to use it for rifle manufacturing. Since the energy produced from hydroelectric power was not enough, a steam engine plant with boiler house and a tall chimney were built in 1864. In 1891 a dynamowas added. It was the first electric plant in Sömmerda.

In 1972 the mill was nationalized. It then was called 'VEB Mühlenwerk Sömmerda' and incorporated as part of the grain Combine of Erfurt. This happened in the early 70s. The mill plant supplied its products to bakeries and flour processors in Sömmerda, Erfurt and Weimar. The processing capacity was 30 tons of grain per day. The mill was driven by water and in addition by electric motors.

Because of declining orders a part of the mill, the 'Lohnmühle', was shut down. The equipment remained completely intact, including the big water wheel. In the 1980s a unique solution was found to obtain this monument: a café was established in this building. Brickworks were removed and replaced with glass fronts, which released the views to the undershot waterwheel. In later years a tasteful furnished and museum-style restaurant started business.

In 1987-88 refurbishment works were carried out in the mill. New plan sifter, pipes and conveying elements were installed. After the Wend the mill was given back to its original owner and is now being operated by the 'Schliefke' company." (source)

The Cache:

To log this cache you will need to make a picture (of you or your GPS or one of your personal belongings) in front of either the Dreyse mill or the town park bridge and attach it to your log entry.