In 1818 Johannes Dreyer built a watermill on the banks of the Liesbeeck River. Upon his death, his widow Maria employed a young lad by the name of Jacob Letterstedt (who had immigrated from Sweden to escape bad debt) to run the mill, and ended up marrying him a few years later. More than 20 years younger than Maria (a photo of her scowling face is still up in the museum today), Jacob is said to have fallen in love with the crown princess of Sweden, Josephine, and built a second watermill as a testament of his love for her. The on-site museum houses a few relics from the mill's heyday, and there are guided tours including a peek into the gigantic engine room, where you can see cogs working to produce the stone-ground flour sold in the shop. Incidentally, Letterstedt went on to own the Mariendal Brewery, which still stands across the road at the SAB Breweries.
Area Cape Town
Telephone 21 686 4939
Open 9am-4pm Mon-Fri.
Admission free. Tours R20 adults; R10 concessions.
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