Aa-Mølle near Remmerstrand
Aa-Mølle is a 500-year-old listed watermill, considered one of the most interesting of its kind in Denmark. The mill has the only intact example of a Roman form of traction called Beighton Drive.
The natural values
The Natura 2000 area Husby Klit is a 14 km long stretch along the west coast of Jutland in the area between Nissum Fjord in the north and Vest Stadil Fjord in the south with an area of 493 ha, of which 192 ha are state-owned. Approximately half of the Natura 2000 area is located in Geopark Vestjylland. Husby Klit is a wind-shaped landscape formed on a raised seabed, and appears as an elongated and dynamic belt of coastal dune formations (See Geosites no. 27 and 33). The dunes are in places undergoing natural transformation due to erosion by the sea and the wind, which rearranges the sand where it is exposed. The Natura 2000 area, which ranges in width from 1.2 km to 40 meters, is characterized by relatively large areas of gray/green dunes and dune heaths. The different types of dune nature are mixed together in large parts of the area. There is an ongoing need to maintain parts of the areas by clearing unwanted growth of mountain pine, wrinkled rose and star-shaped ribwort.
Water wheels and walking devices
Before 1939, the mill operated with an underfall wheel, which was changed to a “breastfall” and has now been changed to an overfall wheel – each of these designations refers to how the water hits the large water wheel. Aa-Mølle is very special, as one of the two water wheel running gear represents the old Roman form of traction (Beighton Drive) and Aa-Mølle is the only intact example in Northern Europe with this particular technique. The running gears pull several mills, a hoist and a flour sieve. None of them are probably the original ones. Thus, during a visit to Å-mølle, you will encounter different types of running gear and materials from different time periods.
Volunteers take over the mill
Aa-Mølle was privately owned until 1961, and the ownership is known all the way back to 1718. In 1961, the then owner and third-generation miller Hans Hedegaard sold the mill to the National Museum in order to save it, but continued to live in the house next door. In 1972, the Friends of Danish Mills took over Aa-Mølle, and to ensure local involvement, the Aa-Mølles Laug was established in 1999, and in 2013 was transformed into an independent association with the purpose: “as owner of the listed Aa-Mølle, to preserve and operate Aa-Mølle for posterity, as a historical monument and a cultural attraction, and to give the public access to the historic water mill.” On January 1, 2015, the Aa-Mølles Laug took over ownership of Aa-Mølle and has so far clearly met its objective with the help of local volunteers.
Relations to the geopark
The Aa-Møllefredningen, the watermill and the developed trail system, including up to Toftum Bjerge, and the many volunteers ensure that you get a wonderful cultural-historical, geological and biological geopark experience here.
Water wheels and walking devices
Before 1939, the mill operated with an underfall wheel, which was changed to a “breastfall” and has now been changed to an overfall wheel – each of these designations refers to how the water hits the large water wheel. Aa-Mølle is very special, as one of the two water wheel running gear represents the old Roman form of traction (Beighton Drive) and Aa-Mølle is the only intact example in Northern Europe with this particular technique. The running gears pull several mills, a hoist and a flour sieve. None of them are probably the original ones. Thus, during a visit to Å-mølle, you will encounter different types of running gear and materials from different time periods.
Volunteers take over the mill
Aa-Mølle was privately owned until 1961, and the ownership is known all the way back to 1718. In 1961, the then owner and third-generation miller Hans Hedegaard sold the mill to the National Museum in order to save it, but continued to live in the house next door. In 1972, the Friends of Danish Mills took over Aa-Mølle, and to ensure local involvement, the Aa-Mølles Laug was established in 1999, and in 2013 was transformed into an independent association with the purpose: “as owner of the listed Aa-Mølle, to preserve and operate Aa-Mølle for posterity, as a historical monument and a cultural attraction, and to give the public access to the historic water mill.” On January 1, 2015, the Aa-Mølles Laug took over ownership of Aa-Mølle and has so far clearly met its objective with the help of local volunteers.
Relations to the geopark
The Aa-Møllefredningen, the watermill and the developed trail system, including up to Toftum Bjerge, and the many volunteers ensure that you get a wonderful cultural-historical, geological and biological geopark experience here.