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From the 16th to the 19th century, the district of Schneeberg was the world's largest mining place of cobalt ore, of which the famous cobalt blue was made. The stamping - mill Siebenschlehen belongs to the most important monuments of the local cobalt mining. It belonged to the mine Siebenschlehen, which was first mentioned in 1495, and was constructed to work up the hauled ore.
Pure ore is hardly found, mostly the content of usable minerals ranges from 1 to 20%. But for selling them, it had to be raised to nearly 100%. The main part of this process took place in stamping - mills.
First, the ore had to be pounded to the necessary refinement.
Then, the pounded ore was sifted and washed. This means, the ore was divided from the barren stone. Mixed with water, the refined mud was put on so - called hearths, on which the process of division took place. During the centuries, several types of mobile and stationary hearths were invented. The waste was sold as building- or scouring - sand.
The location of the stamping – mill Siebenschlehen was used already around 1500 for working up ore. Since the second half of the 17th century, the mine Siebenschlehen had an own stamping – mill at this place. Because it became delapitated after long years of using, in 1752/53, a new and greater mill was build. Because of the constant lowering of the hauled ore´s cobalt content, the working capacity was raised and modernized in the 19th century. Other parts were added to the complex at several times (1816/17, 1850 – 52, 1872, 1893), including also different hearths and machines. From 1852 on, the technic was moved by two huge water wheels with a diameter of 6m, while in former times there was just one smaller wheel.
After the shutting – down in 1929, the stamping – mill Siebenschlehen was reconstructed in 1942, so that it could work up wolfram oar from a mine in Schneeberg till 1944.
From 1946 to 1955, the complex was used as a store house by the SDAG Wismut.
After 1949, the object was additionally used for a short period of time as a holiday camp for children.
After the use by the SDAG Wismut, the building served various purposes. In 1990, intensive preservation works began to present the mill as a technical museum.
Originally, the mill inspector´s flat was situated in the second floor of the main building. For the reason that the living conditions above the working place were quite bad, a seperate house was built around 1830, the so – called "Huthaus".
To supply the mill, a ditch with a length of 600 m was digged in the Lindenau valley. For a better regulation of the water quantity, a pond was laid out in 1838.
Guided tours are offered on demand (except on monday).
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