Whetstone production Unterammergau

What is a whetstone?

The search for wealth drove the people of Unterammergau to the surrounding mountains. Gold or silver veins were hoped for in the rock. The treasure hunters would also discover the source of their future wealth, but in a different form than they had expected: they discovered that their tools did not become dull when they struck the stone. A large industry developed from this discovery: This special rock, which is rarely found in the Alpine region, was mined, processed and sold as whetstones throughout Central and Eastern Europe. Whetstones were used to sharpen scythes: since most people worked in agriculture, there was guaranteed a high demand for this product.

A whetstone is created 

Stories & History

© Ammergauer Alpen GmbH

Village and Wetzstoa Museum Unterammergau

 

The village museum sees itself as a local history museum that reflects the extensive village history. Special areas such as flax cultivation, weaving and the department for archaeological finds convey the life and attitude of the locals.

 

© Stephan de Play

Ammergau whetstone quarries

In the gorge you can see the remains of disused grinding mills, the mills of the whetstone makers, which brought the place a lot of wealth over the centuries. A short hike leads through the wildly romantic Schleifmühlklamm, where you can learn a lot about the traditional whetstone making industry.

 

Learn more Hike Schleifmühlklamm
© Günther Warmuth

The grinding mill

Through lovingly detailed work, “Schneiderla's grinding mill” was restored true to the original by the historical working group. On every second Saturday from May to September and on Whit Monday, guided tours are offered alongside a demonstration of the mill.  

 

The legacy of the whetstone makers

Whetstone making, i.e. the production of the whetstones needed to sharpen scythes and sickles in agriculture, was an important craft for centuries.

The hiking trail follows the historical traces of the Wetzsteimakers through the Ammergau Alps Nature Park to the Ester Mountains and connects the towns from Hohenschwangau to the Glentleiten open-air museum. There are information boards along the way that introduce the process of whetstone making.