Photo: Cesar von Meissen
Historical lifeline of industrial culture in the Ruhr Valley
The millstream in Essen-Kettwig is far more than just an arm of the Ruhr. This historic waterway has significantly shaped the economic and cultural development of the town over centuries. Its importance is rooted primarily in the use of water power, which, in times before the industrial revolution, was the basis for productive craft businesses and later also for industrial enterprises. Today, the Mühlengraben with the Millrace Bridge the gate to Essen-Kettwig Old Town. Baldeneysee.Ruhr reveals the background to this colorful film and photo hotspot.
Origin and Industrial Significance of the Mill Race
As early as 1372, a lordly corn mill was first mentioned in a document on the Mühlengraben. This corn mill was part of the Imperial Abbey of Werden, to which Kettwig belonged until 1803. It supplied the population with essential flour. In 1724, an important milestone was added with the construction of a fulling mill. This facility was built right next to the corn mill to support the local wool cloth manufacturing. The fulling mill mechanically refined woven fabrics by milling them. This contributed significantly to the flourishing of the local cloth industry, which was particularly shaped by the Benninghoven family in the 18th century.
Visible and noteworthy relics
With the beginning of the 19th century, the Mühlengraben developed from a craft center into heavy industry. In 1814, the Scheidt family of manufacturers acquired the water rights of the ditch and built the world-renowned Johann Wilhelm Scheidt cloth factory from it. The memory of this important economic site remains alive today through archaeological foundations and street names such as „Am Mühlengraben.“ Visible and noteworthy relics of the old river arm are also still preserved in the area of the bridge.
Photo: Cesar von Meissen
Historical landmark: The bridge made of Ruhr sandstone
The Mühlengraben Bridge is one of the oldest and most impressive bridge structures in Essen and the entire Ruhr region. It has been a listed monument since 1985 and is considered a significant testament to the region's construction technology and building history. Initially, there was already a wooden Ruhr bridge in Kettwig in 1282, but it was repeatedly damaged by floods and ice floes. During the Thirty Years' War (1635), the bridge was deliberately destroyed by imperial troops to prevent the advance of Swedish troops. Consequently, for a long time, only a simple wooden footbridge remained. Large wagons had to use a shallow ford to cross to the island and then to the ferry in the main channel of the Ruhr.
| Structural information on the Mühlengrabenbrücke in Essen-Kettwig | ||
|---|---|---|
| name | Millrace Bridge | |
| Location | Kettwig, via the Kettwig Mill Race (tributary of the Ruhr River) | |
| Year of construction | 1786 | |
| Client | Abbot Bernhard II. Bierbaum of the Imperial Abbey St. Gall | |
| Building material | Ruhr sandstone (rubble masonry) | |
| Construction method | Historic stone arch bridge with three semicircular arches | |
| Number of arcs | 3 | |
| Wingspan | approx. 8.02 to 10.15 meters | |
| Overall length | approx. 36 meters | |
| Width | 12.5 feet | |
| Parapets | 50 centimeters wide and 93 centimeters high | |
| Special features | Keystone with the coat of arms of Abbot Bernhard II and historical bridge pier with wrought-iron lantern | |
| Original use | Traffic bridge for horse-drawn vehicles, postal traffic, and pedestrians | |
| Current use | Pedestrian and bicycle bridge, access to the historic old town of Kettwig | |
| Listed building | Protected as a historical monument since 1985 | |
| Meaning | One of the oldest surviving bridges in Essen and an important testament to the construction and industrial history of the Ruhr region. | |
Construction of the current stone bridge in 1786
In 1786, Abbot Bernhard II. Bierbaum had this stone arch bridge, which still exists today, built. According to the plans of his master builder Engelhard Kleinhans, it was built from the characteristic, weather-resistant Ruhr sandstone. The bridge consists of three circular segment arches with spans between approximately eight and ten meters. A striking keystone bearing the abbot's coat of arms adorns the middle arch. In addition, a historic bridge pier with an wrought-iron lantern decorates the bridgehead.
Photo: Cesar von Meissen
Originally, the bridge was presumably planned as the first section of a comprehensive construction project that was to span the entire width of the Ruhr. However, this ambitious project was never completed. It wasn't until 1865 that a permanent Ruhr bridge was built across the main current again.
Gateway to the historic old town of Kettwig
The Mühlengraben bridge was once important for horse-drawn carriages and mail coach traffic. Today, it is exclusively reserved for pedestrians and cyclists and serves as a picturesque gateway to the historic old town of Kettwig. Those entering the bridge from the riverbank will find themselves directly on Ruhrstraße, surrounded by an ensemble of historic half-timbered houses from the 17th and 18th centuries, which characterize the charming town center and make a visit a journey back in time. Immediately at the bridge, the cozy „Brücken-Café“ also invites locals and tourists to linger. It complements the atmospheric ambiance and makes a visit to the Mühlengraben a special experience. A must for tourists and day-trippers.
Conclusion
The Mühlengraben in Kettwig is a significant symbol of the connection between nature, craftsmanship, and industrial history. From medieval grain milling to the flourishing textile industry and the impressive Mühlengraben bridge, it reflects developments that have sustainably shaped Essen's southernmost district. Today, this historic site and its idyllic paths invite visitors to discover and experience the rich history of this region on the Ruhr. Cyclists on the Ruhr Valley Cycle Path should take a rest here to enjoy the unique atmosphere.
