Die Strutz-Mühle

In the past, there were many small mills in the region. Over time, almost all of them disappeared — buildings deteriorated, milling machines were dismantled, and memories were left behind.

Peter Fürbass did not want this piece of history to be lost. In seven years of work, he collected, repaired, and complemented old parts until the Strutz mill could run again. Today, it shows how grain was ground in the valley — with wood, water, craftsmanship, and a lot of patience.

He is a trained carpenter and grew up with the stories of the old mills. What would have been just an old building for others became a lifelong mission for him.

When he guides visitors through the mill, he talks not only about gears, grinding stones, and water power, but also about how much work and memory is invested in this place.

The Waterwheel at Schwarzbach:
In front of the mill stands the overshot waterwheel, three meters high and made of wood. The Schwarzbach flows directly past the mill, a wooden trough directs it onto the blades of the wheel. It operates daily when Mill Peter welcomes his guests — only in winter, when the water freezes, does it stand still.

The Milling Mechanism from 1854:
In the ground floor, wood and iron meet. The original mill gear transmits the rotary force of the wheel to two grinding stones made of regional granite. During each tour, a handful of grain is freshly placed between the stones, and the flour falls below into the sack — "Schaumahlen," as the name says.

A narrow staircase leads up to the miller's lounge: wooden floor, old tools, and a small bell on the wall. It was once connected to the milling mechanism by a rope — when the grain was running low, it would ring, and the miller could replenish it without having to stand downstairs continuously.

“9 Places 9 Treasures” is the ORF format in which the most beautiful place in each federal state is sought annually. A celebrity jury and the audience vote live on National Day. The Strutz mill was nominated for Styria in 2020.

At eighty years old, Peter Fürbass won nationwide in Austria. The handing over of the trophy took place shortly after the broadcast — officials from ORF and representatives from Styria, with the trophy in Peter's hands.