The old mill grinds again

Muglin Mall

Dating from the 17th century, the Muglin Mall is the oldest mill in Switzerland still in working order. To this day, two straw wheels drive the mill and the stamp. For this purpose, the living power of the nearby Muranzina mountain stream is harnessed and fed to the wheels via steep water channels. Not only is the grain from the region ground in the mill, it has also always been a place for meeting and socialising.

The history of the mill

In the village alley Paclera, along the mountain stream Muranzina, there used to be various handicraft businesses, all of which depended on the use of water power: the mills, stamp mills, saws and forges. In 1676, the municipality of Sta. Maria granted the miller Jakob Cott the water right for the first time. The mill wheel turned until a few decades ago, then the wheels were removed and the water channels filled in. The mill was left to its own devices. Thanks to many donations and volunteers, the mill has been faithfully restored.

The mill turns

The mill wheels have been turning again since 2004. When the water valves in the stream are opened, the wheels start moving with a loud clatter and the floor in the miller's room shakes. Then the grain from the region is processed into flour in Switzerland's oldest functioning mill. During the summer months, the mill can be visited and guests can immerse themselves in the centuries-old craft on a guided tour and follow the path from grain to flour.

Muglin Mall

Grinding grain as in the past

The fact that the mill has been faithfully restored can be felt in every nook and cranny. Where else is the grain still ground by stone?

Muglin Mall

For the barley soup

The Muglin Mall processes tiny quantities of Münstertal grain, so that small bags of soup barley can be bought there.

Muglin Mall

Complicated mechanics

The force of the water drives the mill wheels and sets the graters and tampers inside the mill in motion. But don't worry, even if the mill shakes, it is far from being an earthquake.

Contact

Muglin Mall
7536 Sta. Maria
Tel. +41 78 853 54 86
muglin@muglin.ch
muglin.ch