Lazarův mlýn Water mill

Welcome to Lazarus Mill. You're standing in a place where history meets the constant movement of water, and the echoes of the ancient work of the miller are still sinking in the murmur of the Saxon Canal. Before you go any further, stop for a moment and feel the atmosphere of this place. Take a look at the lake U Lazara, which is situated nearby, and watch as the water in the canal slowly flows around this historic object. For centuries, this water has been the heart and engine of everything that happened here.

Let's go back to the past together, 1820. More than two hundred and four years ago, the miller Riegra here decided to lay the foundations of the building you are now observing. At that time, the existence of such a mill was absolutely essential for the life of the whole surrounding village and for local farmers. The mill was not just a building, it was a meeting point, a place where the raw force of nature turned into a useful energy for human needs. Riegra has built a place here to serve generations, and it has actually succeeded. This mill has become a solid part of the countryside in the district of Nymburk and its presence here lasts until today.

Now pay attention to the architecture of the building itself, which stands right in front of you. Notice its robust, rectangular shape. The whole building is storey and its appearance seems very stable and dignified. Above your heads is a wall roof, which is a typical element of the construction at the time and gives the complex a sense of protection and durability. Over many years, however, this original entity has grown. If you look around, you'll see that the mill was supplemented by other important buildings at the time of flowering, namely a granary and a barn that helped it to perform its demanding function.

If you can look closer to the foundation of the building, try to imagine what happened in its bowels. On the ground floor there is a arched hail room, a space which had to be very durable to bear the weight of all the grain that came here. Right next to it was a shalanda, a small space that served various purposes. On the floor there was a space designed for a miller whose life was inseparable from the rhythm of work and from the water level in the canal. Every stone and vault in this building tells the story of labor, everyday effort and constant struggle with elements.

However, the history of this place is not only a story about building, but also a constant search for progress. Let's move on to 1905. During this period, one of the most important changes in the history of Lazarus Mill occurred. Josef Kavalír, a man with a vision of modernization, came up with technological improvements that changed the world at the time. Instead of the old, slower water wheels, a modern Francis turbine was installed here. Imagine the fascinating change - the older generation of miller was used to the rhythm of the wheels, while the new era brought a more efficient, faster and more technically advanced way of utilizing water power. This modernization was crucial so that the mill could continue to function effectively in a rapidly changing world at the turn of the century.

Another important chapter is the period around 1930. At this time the mill became part of the property of the Lazarus family, from which it also gained its name, which you also know. In this era the mill was equipped with another turbine, namely the Girard model, which again shows how this object tried to keep up with technical progress. The Lazarus family probably lived through a period when the mill became their home and source of livelihood, and their name was connected to this place forever.

Anyway, every story has its end. After long years of operation, after decades of tireless work, came 1952. This year the mill was definitively shut down. The machines were quiet, the water in the canal was no longer driven by grinding stones and there was a silence in the building that lasted many years. The mill was no longer the place of production, but it became a silent witness to history.

And yet, even though the machines stopped working, Lazarův mlýn didn't disappear into oblivion. On the contrary, its importance has deepened. Today this building is protected as a real-estate cultural monument of the Czech Republic. This means that its value is not only measured by how much grain it has been able to milk, but by what it represents for our culture and history. It is a monument to human ingenuity, diligence and ability to adapt to a changing world.

The interesting thing that may interest you is the constant transformation of technology. The mill, which began as a simple building built by the miller Riegra in 1820, underwent a fascinating journey from traditional water wheels to advanced turbines, such as Francis or Girardova. It's a fascinating example of how people tried to make the most of nature through science and technology.

Now that you've learned more about his past, about the people who lived and worked here, and about how this object was changing in time, I suggest you stop for a while and perceive this space through your entire existence. Feel the silence that exists here, and try to imagine the noise and noise that was here 10, 25 or even 150 years ago.

Thank you for choosing to explore this story with us. Please continue your walk around the Saxon Canal and enjoy the beauty of this landscape. We will say goodbye, but the history of Lazarus Mill remains here, ready to tell your other stories to anyone who stops and listens. Goodbye.