12.05.2026
And the Millstone Turns Again – Discover the Historic Farm Mill at Unterpfaffstall
The mill was one of the most important structures on any farm. Where possible, it was water-powered: the water wheel allowed the grain to be milled efficiently. When no water was available, the grain often had to be milled at communal mills, but many farmers preferred to process their most valuable resource themselves. In the past, the miller’s trade was considered somewhat unreliable, and fraud or theft were feared. This partly explains the high density of historic mills in South Tyrol.
At Unterpfaffstall Farm, the mill also has a long history. Historical photos show that there was originally a water mill on the stream behind the house. Since the stream carried little water, a dam was built above the farm in the “Rialingerwiesl” to collect water. This allowed all the mills along the stream to operate in sequence. At the end of the 19th century, a severe storm destroyed the dam, and the farm mill was decommissioned; the grain was then processed at a nearby mill.
In 1955, the mill experienced a revival: an electric mill was installed in the basement of the farmhouse, using the original millstone again. This allowed the grain to be processed directly into flour and “Grischen” (bran for the livestock).
After several years of inactivity, the mill was reinstalled during the 2015 renovation of the farmhouse in the old basement preserved during construction. With care and dedication, we restored the millstone, making the mill fully operational. Today, visitors can experience firsthand how grain is turned into flour and Grischen – a fascinating glimpse into the tradition and craftsmanship of South Tyrolean farms.
A visit to the mill is not only educational, but a special experience for the whole family. Be enchanted by the turning millstone and immerse yourself in a living piece of South Tyrolean farm history!
At Unterpfaffstall Farm, the mill also has a long history. Historical photos show that there was originally a water mill on the stream behind the house. Since the stream carried little water, a dam was built above the farm in the “Rialingerwiesl” to collect water. This allowed all the mills along the stream to operate in sequence. At the end of the 19th century, a severe storm destroyed the dam, and the farm mill was decommissioned; the grain was then processed at a nearby mill.
In 1955, the mill experienced a revival: an electric mill was installed in the basement of the farmhouse, using the original millstone again. This allowed the grain to be processed directly into flour and “Grischen” (bran for the livestock).
After several years of inactivity, the mill was reinstalled during the 2015 renovation of the farmhouse in the old basement preserved during construction. With care and dedication, we restored the millstone, making the mill fully operational. Today, visitors can experience firsthand how grain is turned into flour and Grischen – a fascinating glimpse into the tradition and craftsmanship of South Tyrolean farms.
A visit to the mill is not only educational, but a special experience for the whole family. Be enchanted by the turning millstone and immerse yourself in a living piece of South Tyrolean farm history!
