Together with the building of the mill and the packing plant, and the canal feeding the turbine, it forms a spatially and functionally linked industrial complex, which is a trace of the old milling industry, the beginning of which in this area dates back to the 13th century.

History of the structure

The former turbine hall was built during the reconstruction of the mill’s main production building after a fire in 1889. In the 1920s, together with the entire mill complex, it became the property of the Gebrüder Storch family company. Then, more detailed information about the resources of the turbine hall equipment appeared. Francis and Kaplan turbines were used, increasing the mill’s capacity to 60 tons per day. In 1945, warfare stopped the work of the turbine hall, which was rebuilt only a year later. Thoroughly rebuilt in 1984, it became an indispensable part of the process line, whose production increased to 150 tons per day.

Description of the structure

The turbine hall, which is a part of the former mill complex, is located in the north-eastern part of the town, situated on the left bank of the Oder River, directly over the channel feeding the turbine. The main production building of the mill adjoins the building perpendicularly from the south, and from the north, the building of the packaging plant, constituting its extension. It is a small object, made of brick, not plastered, built on a rectangular floor plan, topped with a gable roof covered with tar paper. The western elevation is divided into two axes, with window openings in a strip pattern. Underneath the building is the outlet of the canal supplying water to the turbine. On the level of the second storey of the east elevation, a wooden connector is added. Below is the entrance to the turbine hall and the turbine chamber inlet closures. Inside is a single-space turbine hall and duty room, complete with original pre-1945 equipment - Francis turbine, Kaplan turbine and speed controller.

Visitor access: The monument can be viewed from the outside.

Author: Katarzyna Latocha, Regional Branch of the National Institute of Cultural Heritage in Opole, 02-06-2018

Bibliography

• Katalog Zabytków Sztuki w Polsce, vol. VII: Województwo opolskie, z. 1: powiat brzeski, ed. T. Chrzanowski and M. Kornecki, Warsaw 1961, pp. 31-32.
• Majewski J., Opowieści brzeskich ulic, część. 1, Brzeg, 2016, p. 88.
• Record sheet of monuments of architecture and construction. Młyn wodny, compiled by Anna Broniewska, 1998.
• Dziewulski W., Brzeg. Dzieje – Gospodarka – Kultura, Opole, 1975.