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Information
The private institution, Tørning Mill, Tørningvej 6, 6500 Vojens - Telephone 74 50 76 57 is open daily from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., during the period of 1st May to mid-September.
Guided tours can be arranged by contacting Vojens Turist Bureau - telephone 74 54 06 00.
This brochure is published byTørning Mill Support Group with financial aid from Vojens Commune. Membership can be obtained by contacting the Treasurer, Jens Søborg - telephone 74 50 74 19.
The text for the brochure has been prepared by Aage Gram, Vojens and the drawings made by Finn Nielsen, Tørning.
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Tørning Mill
The mill has always been closely connected to the castle complex. It is thought that milling has been here as long as the castle has been in existence. The earliest reliable information about the utilization of the hydraulic power only actually dates back to 1494 when King Hans acquired Tørning.
The mill has burned down several times, last in 1907. The difference of the mill situated here around the year 1800 and the large industrial mill greeting us today when we arrive from the "seaward" side, is immense. To get an impression of the size and function of the mill you must to go through the door, up the many stairs, and then down to the exiting turbine plant in the basement of the mill. |
Tørning Castle
High above the valley stood the "Mountain Castle". Discounting the towns, the castle up here
was the largest in Sønderjylland during the middle ages.
The castle is first mentioned in 1331 but is was probably built during the 13th century.
The castle mounds consist of a considerable main hill and a south facing front castle (castle tower).
The entire complex would have been protected by steep slopes to the north and east, by the mill
pond to the west, and to the south by two moats, with another front castle (castle tower) between the moats.
From Tørning Castle is was possible to control the most important roads between Sønderjylland
and Nørrejylland and it therefore had a very central role during the power struggles between the
Danish kings and the counts of Holstein. It was actually the Holsteiner counts who predominantly
controlled the castle down through the ages.
Among the lords of the castle making the biggest impact during Tørninghus’ days of glory were the
Lembeks, some of the country’s most powerful noblemen during the latter half of the 14th century
and the early part of the 15th century.
In 1428 the family of Ahlefeldt came to Tørning - they were also closely connected to the Holsteiner
counts.
In 1494 King Hans acquired the castle and surroundings, and in the next 100 years Tørninghus became
the residence of the king’s county officers. As the administration gradually moved to Haderslev and the
King’s interest increasingly was directed towards the town with the new castle, Hansborg, Tørninghus
lost its importance. The castle fell into disrepair, and on the 9th march 1597 it burned down.
The Water Turbine Plant
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For more than 500 years the community has utilized the enormous
power of the water flowing through Tørning river - now Stevning
Lake - down to Tørning and continuing east, to flow into Lillebælt.
- 38 million cubic meters per year, or approx. 1200 liters per second!
For many years the water powered the mill wheel in the deep valley
where a dam stemmed the gathering waters in Stevning Lake, and hid-
den canals lead it down over the wheel.
Today the water is guided 8 meters down to the turbines - Francis-
turbines originating from 1908, with an output of approx. 120 kW and
60 kW respectively. Take your time in the basement and enjoy the
accomplished, old technology.
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The Miller's House
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The miller’s house - also called the Main House - is a nice brick-built
building with fine ashlar rendered decorations. It is thought to originate
from the middle of the 18th century, but was rebuilt sometime in the mid-
dle of the 19th century.
The mill house today accommodates a nature school, local history archives
and, very worth seeing, the "Anna Caroline Amalie Hoffs Commemorative
Lounge". The effects in the lounge belonged to the miller family Boysen,
who resided at the mill for almost 200 years. |
The Old Ash - "The Fire Ash"
Many battles and wars have swept the county and the place. Throughout the middle ages the Danish kings
battled against the Holsteiner counts again and again. After the fire the castle ruins and ramparts were again
prepared for war, the last time during the Triennial War 1848 - 1850.
The Danes used the walls of the ruin as entrenchment, and preparations were made to open the floodgate, to
flood the terrain up to Haderslev pond.
An Ash also stood on the west side of the castle hill! If necessary it was to be felled, placed across the road,
and used as road block.
Actually, the battle didn’t materialise. The ash remained standing - up until that day in 1992 when it toppled
over from old age during a storm, and all by itself! Just as well, because the saying was that the mill would burn down if the old giant was felled by human hands! The remainder of the giant still lies at the road side today.
The District Judge's House
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Beautifully situated by the mill pond we find the "District Judge’s House",
the oldest in the entire building complex.
The house was built in the beginning of the 18th century and was originally
an inn. After the burning of the castle in 1597 up until then nobleman’s estate
was converted into farms, with many different tenants, amongst these the
renowned Peter Christian Holm. He became part of the local history for
several reasons! It was he who in 1753 had the miller convicted to dig out the road we use today through the castle hill, in
order that Holm could have access to his inn. And it was he who "haunted"! Evil, cunning, and scheming he couldn’t find peace in his grave on Hammelev churchyard. The legend says that it took 3 priests to exorcise him! - The stake is said to still stand there, and when you rock it a voice is heard from the deep saying "get stuck in" which was what he had always demanded from his villeins. |
The Pioneer Bridge
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The bridge was built by the Germans during the First World War. It was part
of the big defense line "Sicherungsstelle Nord" which was built right across
Sønderjylland. With the help of the floodgates large areas towards the east
could be flooded and thus assist in obstructing an advancing enemy.
The Thingstead
The stone is to remind us of the old thingstead, the courthouse and of the
nationality battles in 1840’s when Christian VIII introduced the Danish
language into the legislation and administration.
As an expression of gratitude to the king, the bailiffs from the area hung a
table in the courthouse with the inscription, which can be found on the stone.
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Tight Canal and Fish Ladder
On the way towards Christiansdal we have the High Canal to the north, and to the south the Fish Ladder.
The High Canal was dug in 1862 to obtain more hydraulic power for the new turbines which had replaced
the water wheels in Christiansdal. The Fish Ladder is to secure safe passage for trout and salmon to the
spawning grounds.
A similar passage is built at Christiansdal.
The Motorway
In 1984 the motorway was carried 130 meters across the valley. During the construction they encountered a
couple of tile works from the middle ages. It is presumed that the monk stones from here were used in both
Tørninghus and in the church in Hammelev.
Following signposted routes one can enjoy the nature further on to Hindemade. You cross Tørning river via
a wooden bridge immediately under the large concrete bridge.
Christiansdal
Today, when you look out over the scenic beauty you would hardly imagine that Christansdal once was a
very important industrial area.
It is said that this was the "cradle of industry". It started in 1771 with the establishing of a tin factory. Later
followed other businesses, all exploiting the available hydraulic power: Linen weaving mill, bleachery, oil mill,
glass foundry, mirror glass factory, and latest a paper mill with approx. 300 workers.
In 1907 it all burnt down and all that remains today is a small power house/station (electricity museum).
Drawings: Finn Nielsen, Tørning
Text: Åge Gram, Vojens |