Hrnčířův mlýn Water mill

Welcome to Czech Mezzanine. Stop for a moment, take a breath and feel the atmosphere of this place. You're standing in front of a building that is a silent witness for centuries, in front of the Pottery Mill. Take a look at this structure and try to imagine how the noise of working machines used to sound and how dust from ground grain was floating through the air. It is in front of you that there is a place where the power of nature has come together with human ingenuity. The key to the existence of this mill is the Dedina River, which flows through it and gives it the energy needed to operate. The water still flowing here has been the main engine of everything that's been happening in these walls for centuries.

Let us now return together in time deep into the past so that this space begins to speak with its own voice. The history of this place dates back to the end of the 16th century. The oldest written mention of the mill dates back to 1598. At that time, the mill was registered in the urbarian, which was such a detailed book of records on land and duties, which belonged to the honours. So imagine that even at the time of the Renaissance, when the world around us was changing dramatically, someone was already standing at the mill wheel. The first name that we associate with this place from that time is the miller Pavel Šnorař, who rented the mill at the time. At that time the mill was a fundamental pillar of the survival of local inhabitants, because grinding grain on flour was an absolutely essential activity for each community.

Now pay attention to the construction itself. Although the mill was changing over the years, it still carries traces of its function. Look at the overall shape of the building and perceive its stability. One of the most important architectural elements I would like to draw your attention to is the roof. If you look up here, you'll see the binder. This construction was built between the end of the nineteenth century and the first third of the twentieth century. The Binding Crove is a specific way of arrangement of beams, which allows you to cover the building without the need for too many internal supports, which allowed better positioning of machines and handling of goods in the mill space. It is this roof that gives the building its characteristic appearance and shows the technical progress of that time.

If we go further in time, we get to the nineteenth century, which brought about major social changes. 1848 was a turning point because of the abolition of submission. This meant that people were no longer so close to their masters and could start building their own property. It was at this time, in 1848, that the mill was purchased by a man named František Šefelín. He paid 8,000 gold for it, which was a very large sum at the time. Imagine what courage and faith he had in future profits when he invested such funds in this business.

A little later, in 1862, the mill got into the hands of another person who basically gave him his name today. It was an Jan Hrnčíř from Lhota near Náverán. The price of the mill rose sharply at that time and Jan Hrnčíř paid twenty-two thousand gold for it. This price increase is not random. It shows that the mill has prospered and its value has grown along with the development of the surrounding region. Jan Hrnčíř was not only the owner, but the person who left his mark in this place.

Now, I want to take you to something that might interest you from a technical point of view. The mill wasn't just an ordinary building with one wheel. At the time of its greatest fame, Hrnčířův mlýn had three water wheels. Imagine the movement, the rhythm and the power of the water that drove three different wheels simultaneously. That made the mill a very powerful device. But the most interesting change came in the 1970s. At that time, there was a transition from ordinary grinding to so-called artistic grinding. What does that even mean? Ordinary grinding was rather a craft activity for basic needs. However, artistic grinding required a much softer approach, more precise machine settings and a deeper knowledge of the properties of the grain to produce flour of the highest quality, suitable for more demanding bakery. It was basically a transition from simple craft to high expertise.

If you stand before this monument today, you may be asking why it's so important to us. The answer is that Hrnčířův mlýn is the living book of the history of our region. In 2019, the mill was officially declared a cultural monument to the Czech Republic. This recognition means that the State recognised its unique historical, technical and architectural value. It is a place where we can see how the economy has changed, how technology has developed, and how human destinies have changed over more than 400 years.

Now try to close your eyes for a moment and listen. Do you hear the noise of the Dadina River? It is the same sound that Pavel Šnorař heard more than four centuries ago, which František Šefelín heard at the signing of the purchase contract and which accompanied Jan Hrnčíř in his daily work. This river was and is the lifeblood of this place. Without her, there would be no building, no history, no stories.

Hrnčířův mlýn reminds us of a time when man was much more in line with the rhythm of nature. Everything depended on water level, river flow and crop quality. Today we live in a time of speed and electronics, but looking at these walls makes us slow down. It's a place that teaches us patience and respect for the work of our ancestors.

Now that you know the story of this place, I suggest you examine it further. Take a walk around the building, pay attention to the details in the roof construction, and try to imagine how people from different centuries have moved in this area. Feel the contrast between the calm of today's landscape and the ruckus that existed here in the past.

Hrnčířův mlýn remains a proud symbol of the industrial and craft heritage of the Czech Mezirich. It is a monument that connects us to our roots and reminds us that even the simplest things like grinding grain can have profound meaning and leave a trail in history.

Thank you for accompanying me on this short journey through time. I hope you're interested in the story of the Pottery Mill and that you will take a sense of respect for this fascinating place. You are now fully entrusted with the space. Go through it in peace, look for your own details and be inspired by the atmosphere of this water mill. I wish you a pleasant rest of the day and many other beautiful experiences while exploring our historical monuments. Goodbye.