Rother’s Mills in Bydgoszcz are a relatively new attraction in the city. Thanks to the initiative of the authorities, the former grain mills were transformed into a modern cultural and exhibition facility with numerous conference rooms and a place for events, concerts, exhibitions, and meetings.
In the article below I will tell you about our visit to the former mill, as well as what you can see, how to get there. And of course, I will summarize in a few sentences the history of this extraordinary place, which is currently experiencing its second youth.
Rother’s Mills – the history of old Bydgoszcz mills
The history of the Bydgoszcz mills began in 1842 when the Prussian authorities decided that there was a need to build new, powerful, and efficient city mills. These mills could process the vast amounts of grain arriving in Bydgoszcz from agricultural areas not only nearby but also from many farther regions.
The choice fell on Mill Island, although I am not sure if the island bore that name before the first mill was built on it. The location seemed ideal, with the Brda River on one side and the Grain Canal on the other. The only problem was the marshy land of the island and the soft terrain, but ultimately, the ground was reinforced, and construction began in full swing.
The mills were completed in 1850, and work on the island started in earnest. In addition to the massive mill, with its complex machinery and two mill wheels, each over five meters in diameter, additional buildings essential to the operation were constructed. First and foremost, a huge grain warehouse began operating, where grain awaiting milling was stored, which was then turned into flour and transferred to a slightly smaller flour warehouse. The island also housed a boiler room and an engine room with a tall chimney. Special channels for fish and river creatures were also included.
The main work took place in the part of the mill where the large water-powered wheels turned. The Rother Mills were the largest milling facility in Bydgoszcz, and the flour produced there was sold not only in the local market but also in Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. According to records from the mill’s ledgers, the finished product was also shipped to South America and even Asia.
The large mills operated continuously until World War II, after which they were taken over by the State Grain and Milling Enterprise. After necessary repairs and work reorganization, Rother Mills continued producing flour until the 1990s, when the company lost the competition to newer, more modern mills.
Rother’s Mills in Bydgoszcz and their new life after revitalization
The neglected facility was purchased by a hotel company that had very interesting plans for it. Unfortunately, the company’s financial problems forced it to sell the historic site, and the mills were taken over by another company, which, in addition to a hotel, planned to create an entertainment and cultural space within them.
Around this time, in 2012, the entire Mill Island underwent major changes. The “Przestrzeń Bydgoszcz” project was implemented, transforming the neglected and largely avoided areas of the city into an attractive place for relaxation and recreation. Suddenly, the historic mill buildings began to detract from the island’s landscape, prompting the Bydgoszcz authorities to decide to repurchase the site, and so Rother Mills came under the city’s ownership.
For the next few years, work was done to secure the buildings of the old mills. Roofs were repaired, windows replaced, and the aging walls reinforced. Only after these essential repairs were completed did the city hand over the historic site to architects, who developed a vision for the future appearance and function of the mills.
It was decided to divide the entire area into three parts, each serving as a space for permanent exhibitions and interactive installations. These would include the Water Gardens, the Knowledge and Education Center, and Bydgoszcz’s Industrial Heritage, designed to educate visitors about the city’s development. In 2019, a special institution called the Culture Park was established to ensure that Rother Mills would meet the requirements for promoting the achievements of science and technology, as well as conducting scientific and educational activities.
The first part of the investment was opened to the public in 2021, and the first events held there included the Mózg Festival, Horizons of Education, and the very intriguing Vintage Photo Festival. Shortly thereafter, the first restaurant and a massive fountain were opened in the complex, at the time the largest in Poland, powered by dozens of jets and featuring special lighting.
In 2022, another mill building, namely the Grain Warehouse, was opened to the people of Bydgoszcz, along with an installation inside called “Nodes.” This exhibition tells the story of the city’s development over the last several hundred years. When visiting Rother Mills, remember that the Grain Warehouse has a rooftop terrace offering an interesting view of Bydgoszcz.
Rothera Mills in Bydgoszcz – a tour of industrial spaces
As Rothera Mills was created to promote science and culture, everything you see during your visit to the site is related to these themes. There are several permanent exhibitions at the mills that are worth visiting, we enjoyed them and you should not be disappointed either.
The permanent exhibition Node is a story about Bydgoszcz and its inhabitants
The first exhibition is called Junctions and concerns Bydgoszcz, its development and history. Bydgoszcz is a large water junction where the Brda River meets the Vistula. However, the name of the exhibition is not only the place where the waterways intersect, but also the interpersonal bonds and fates of the inhabitants of Bydgoszcz.
At the exhibition, you will learn about the history of the city, important events and the role of ordinary people in their course. This place is a unique collection of knowledge about Bydgoszcz from the last almost two hundred years.
Permanent exhibition Mill as a machine
In this part of Rother’s Mills you will have the opportunity to see what inventions and forces of nature tamed by man contributed to the creation of water mills.
I recommend this place especially to young people, who, thanks to ingenious installations and specially prepared machines, will be able to independently construct devices and then set them in motion. The exhibition topics concern transport, grain grinding, technological processes involved in flour production, and the use of water as an inexhaustible source of energy.
A very interesting place where you can experience the achievements of science and technology first-hand.
Free viewing point on top of the mill building
Creating a viewing point at the top of one of the buildings was an excellent idea. Thanks to it, you can look at the entire Mill Island and a large part of Bydgoszcz from above. Especially the rivers and hydrotechnical devices immersed in the dense greenery of the island look beautiful.
Entrance to the terrace is free and available whenever the Rothera Mills are open.
SOWA imagination and activity zone
This is a part of the Rother Mills supported by the famous Copernicus Science Centre. As you can imagine, interactive exhibits await the youngest, but not only, which can be touched, observed and set in motion. Personally, I think that such places should be found in every city because it is through observation and experience that knowledge is best consolidated. I still remember a teacher who performed various experiments in physics, and it was thanks to them that I fell in love with this subject. The installations in the SOWA zone have different levels of difficulty, so everyone will find something for themselves here.
This place reminds me of another science centre we visited; Technorama in Switzerland, which you can read about in one of the previous articles on our website.
New Place in Bydgoszcz’s Rothera Mills
New Place is a very intriguing idea, it is a large space intended for all kinds of creative activities, as well as meetings with interesting people.
You can sit here and listen to stories, meet friends, organize an exhibition of your own work, listen to music or play games. This space was created on the initiative of Rothera Mills and with the support of IKEA from Bydgoszcz.
New Place is located in the historic Granary building with an entrance from the Mill Island side. In the mills calendar you can check what events will take place during your visit. Oh, and in New Place you will also find a café with delicious coffee and snacks, although the prices could be a bit more balanced.
During our visit, the exhibition section featured an exhibition of ceramics by Teresa Miotke-Sowińska and her husband. Unfortunately, this exhibition is also the artist’s farewell to ceramics. After 50 years of being involved in art, Mrs. Teresa decided to retire. We thoroughly enjoyed the exhibition and I hope you will manage to see it too.
And that’s all for our impressions and experiences from visiting Rother Mills on Mill Island in Bydgoszcz. Beyond the multitude of interesting things you can do there, what impressed me the most was the fantastically executed revitalization of the place.
The old walls regained their former charm and have once again become useful to people. This is a prime example of how old buildings don’t always need to be demolished to make way for something new. The industrial, brick interiors of the mills left a lasting impression on me, and I highly recommend visiting them when you’re in Bydgoszcz. It’s truly worth it.
Other tourist attractions on Mill Island in Bydgoszcz
As you can probably guess, Rother’s Mills are not the only attraction on Mill Island in Bydgoszcz. This small piece of land cut off from the city by the Brda River and the Grain Canal is considered one of the most beautiful places in Bydgoszcz. Whether it is really so is hard for me to say, I saw many very nice places while walking around the city.
However, walking along the green alleys of the island was very pleasant, and I recommend it to everyone, especially on a warm, sunny day. As for other attractions on Mill Island, these include:
- Modern Art Gallery in the District Museum.
- European Money Centre in the District Museum with permanent exhibitions:
- Bydgoszcz Mint.
- Mill Island history and modernity.
- Archaeological Collections in the District Museum with exhibitions:
- In the city of Bydgoszcz.
- Bydgoszcz and the region at the dawn of history.
- Leon Wyczółkowski’s house.
- In addition, on the island from the Old Town side you will find a part called Bydgoszcz Venice, which is deceptively similar to an Italian city on the water.
- You will find many buildings and residential houses all over the island. Basically, each of them is a historical monument.
- There are also various catering outlets, cafés and hydrotechnical devices on the island, which are a great attraction, especially for children.
These are of course just some attractions of Mill Island in Bydgoszcz, you have to discover the rest yourself, and believe me, you won’t be bored.
Rother’s Mills in Bydgoszcz – practical information
- All information about current prices can be found on the mills’ website.
- Rothera Mills organizes various temporary exhibitions, as well as many cyclical events, such as Bydgoszcz Design Days, European Museum Night, Mill Talker, Board Game Room or New Tastes.
- Rothera Mills are a good place to educate the youngest. In a place like this, learning about the world of nature, biology, or history can be a real adventure. The mills have a very well-prepared offer for children of all ages.
- The favourite place for the youngest is SOWA; the Discovery, Imagination, and Activity Zone. You can find opening hours and a price list on their website.
Rother’s Mills in Bydgoszcz facts, information, and curiosities
- Mill Island in Bydgoszcz is a river island in the old town part of the city.
- The island has an area of almost 7 hectares.
- Currently, there are numerous cultural and recreational facilities on Mill Island surrounded by boulevards, charming paths and trails, as well as various hydrotechnical devices.
- In 2012, the island received a certificate of the Best Tourist Product from the Polish Tourist Organization.
- The island lies on the Brda River, and its branch is the Młynówka River.
- Mennicka Street runs through the island, the name of which comes from the former Bydgoszcz mint, operating on the island.
- Mill Island is considered one of the most beautiful corners of Bydgoszcz.
- The name Rother’s Mills comes from the surname of the Prussian Minister of Agriculture, Christian von Rother, during whose term Mill Island in Bydgoszcz was expanded.
- The Grain Canal at Mill Island in Bydgoszcz was built in the 1820s.
- In 1886, Rother Mills were reorganized after electricity was introduced to the mills.
- The fountain at Rother Mills is over a square kilometre in size and consists of 50 water jets. The whole is illuminated by hundreds of lights, thanks to which the shows include interesting light illuminations.
- In Rother Mills you will find several food outlets and cafés. I recommend Woda Klubopiekarnia, I ate delicious bread with honey there, which, combined with strong and aromatic coffee, gave me energy for the rest of the day.
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