Real Estate Market Wismar & Nordwestmecklenburg
Median purchase price 2.965 €/sq. ft. · 5.301 listings
"Submersible" Mill in Kröpelin
The Kröpeliner Mühle is a gallery-style Dutch windmill.
Since its renovation in 2012, it has served as a cultural center and is used by the “Kröpeliner Mühle” e.V. support association for events. It is also open to visitors. Anyone driving through Kröpelin from Kühlungsborn won’t believe their eyes… The mill, visible from afar on the eastern outskirts of town, suddenly seems to disappear, only to reappear later. The miracle of Kröpelin is easy to explain: it’s an optical illusion, because depending on the viewer’s location, the mill—which has long since become the town’s landmark—seems to appear and disappear. The gallery-style Dutch windmill, with a two-story solid brick base, was built in 1904 and began operating in 1906. It functioned as a grain mill until around 1952. In this Dutch-style windmill—also known as a cap mill—the sails are attached to the cap. The mill body remains stationary, and only the cap is turned into the wind. Original parts of the windmill, such as the gear ring and the king shaft, are still present in the cap; the mill’s interior fittings were removed over the years. In 1986, work began on converting the mill into a planned restaurant. However, the project was never completed. It was not until 24 years later that a decision was made to undertake a comprehensive modernization and partial demolition of the service wing. The mill is owned by the city and was reopened at the end of 2013 following an extensive renovation. It is operated by the “Kröpeliner Mühle” e.V. support association and is open to the public.
The “Submerging” Mill in Kröpelin – An Optical Puzzle
Anyone driving from Kühlungsborn to Kröpelin will witness an astonishing phenomenon: The windmill, visible from afar on the eastern outskirts of town, suddenly appears to sink—only to reappear shortly thereafter. The secret behind the “Miracle of Kröpelin” is an optical illusion that depends on the viewer’s vantage point. The gallery-style Dutch windmill has long been the town’s landmark and a well-known tourist destination on the Baltic Sea coast of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
History of the Kröpelin Dutch Windmill since 1904
The Kröpelin windmill was built in 1904 and began operating as a grain mill in 1906—until it ceased milling operations around 1952. The massive two-story brick base supports a rotating cap to which the sails are attached—a characteristic feature of the cap mill or Dutch mill type. Original parts such as the cam gear and king shaft are still preserved in the cap today. Following an unfinished attempt at renovation in the 1980s, the mill was finally extensively renovated and reopened at the end of 2013.
Kröpeliner Mühle Cultural Center – Tours and Events
Since its renovation in 2012–2013, the mill has been owned by the town of Kröpelin and is operated as a cultural center by the “Kröpeliner Mühle” e.V. support association. Visitors can tour the historic site and participate in various events. The mill thus perfectly complements the cultural offerings of the region between Rostock and the Baltic Sea coast—and is well worth a stop on the way to other attractions in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, such as Wismar, the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula, or Kühlungsborn.
Other attractions in Kröpelin
East Rock Museum Kröpelin
● Kröpelin
Cross-section of East German rock music and cultural history from 40 years of the GDR - guided tours on request On July 3, 2015, the exhibition on East German rock, as part of the entertainment music of the GDR, was opened. Originating from the fund of the "Sechzig -Vierzig" association from Berlin, a unique interactive experience museum was created in cooperation with the University of Wismar, divided into 5 themed areas. Discover it for yourself and let yourself be transported back in time.
Hubelzauber Ceramic Art Studio
● Kröpelin
Clay in its most beautiful form. Art that leaves something in us - a feeling, a thought, perhaps even a smile. The ceramics studio in Kröpelin has been creating unusual, unique objects, sculptures and original figures in convincingly high quality stoneware by hand for many years. All ceramic objects are modeled by hand and individually crafted as unique pieces. No series are produced, no casting molds or industrial templates are used. In the end, each blank is a unique piece with a unique feel and its own individual character. Discover lovely garden accessories, sculptures and decorative ceramics for your living ambience and interior - dreamlike eye-catchers in every home. The ceramics studio offers a workshop to anyone interested in trying their hand at creating their own work. This is suitable for everyone. No experience is necessary. Let your imagination run wild and create your own little work of art. In this experience course, you will create your desired object over 2 days, each lasting 2 hours. This course is also suitable for vacationers whose stay takes into account the drying time of approx. 1 week between the work steps. After the final firing of your art object, you can collect it or have it sent by the ceramics studio.
Kröpelin "retractable" mill
● Kröpelin
The landmark of the town of Kröpelin - the "retractable" mill Anyone driving through Kröpelin from Kühlungsborn or Rerik will not believe their eyes. The mill, visible from the eastern edge of the town, suddenly disappears and reappears a short time later. Construction work on the Galerie-Holländer-Mühle began in 1904 and it was put into operation in 1906. It has a 2-storey solid brick substructure. The first floor is square and made of stone, while the central mill body with eight sides is also built of solid stone and covered with shingles. The wings of this Dutch mill - also known as a cap mill - are attached to the cap so that it can be turned into the wind. The wind turbine of the mill and parts of the equipment are still preserved. The mill was even still in operation until 1952. After it was decommissioned, it was then used as a warehouse for agricultural businesses and for the school as a "polytechnic" center. In 1986, work began on converting the mill into a restaurant. However, this conversion work came to a standstill due to the changes brought about by the fall of communism. In 2006, the "Kröpeliner Mühle" e.V. association was founded with the aim of renovating the mill in order to preserve it as a Kröpelin landmark and to organize and hold cultural events around the mill. The mill is owned by the town. Extensive renovation work began in 2012. The renovation work was completed in 2013 and the mill was reopened on December 20.
Events in Kröpelin
28. June 2026, 14:00–17:00
"Children's Mill Day"
● versenkbare Mühle Kröpelin
We cordially invite all children and their families to the 2nd Children's Mill Day. Once again, great experiences await you in and around the mill.
30. August 2026, 15:00–17:00
"Best of Anke and Wolfgang"
● versenkbare Mühle Kröpelin
Anke Gohsmann and Wolfgang Kniep present the most successful stories and songs from their 20-year collaboration.
06. September 2026, 15:00–17:00
"Dei Platt Komedi"
● versenkbare Mühle Kröpelin
all sorts of dots up Platt- und Hochdütsch
Accommodations auf Wismar & Nordwestmecklenburg
Vacation rentals, hotels, and more in the region
A-ROSA Ostseehotel Kühlungsborn
● Ostseebad Kühlungsborn
A-ROSA Ostseehotel Kühlungsborn - your vacation hotel in the first row with the restaurant Kiek in, the bar Rondo and the year-round heated indoor and outdoor pool in the SPA-ROSA on 950 square meters.
Old Büdnerei Kühlungsborn
● Kühlungsborn
Store - café - vacation. All this awaits you in the old Büdnerei in Kühlungsborn on the Mecklenburg Baltic Sea coast.
Old horse stable driving
● Fahren
A place for art and culture. Following extensive renovation work, the old horse stable in Fahren has become a place of well-being and a meeting place. The cultural association uses the excellent indoor and outdoor infrastructure for its various events.