mlýn u Guthů Water mill

Welcome to the Rokycans, the part called Plzeňské Předměstí. Stop for a moment, take a breath and feel the atmosphere of this place. Right now, you're standing in front of a building that carries hundreds of years of history and human work. The mlýn u Guthů stands before you, a building that is today protected as a real-estate cultural monument. Look at her. You see a single-storey brick object in front of you telling the story of the transformation of time, the industrial expansion and the relationship between man and nature, namely the Klabava River, which flows through here and has been the main source of energy for centuries for everything that happened in this mill.

Let us now look deeper into the past together to understand how this form of the building came to be. The history of this place goes far beyond what the appearance of the current walls tells us. The first written mention of the mill in this place dates back to a period between a thousand five hundred fifty and a thousand five hundred ninety-nine. So imagine that already in the 16th century there was a noise of a mill wheel and dust from ground grain was flying through the air. For centuries, there was an old mill, but over time it stopped meeting the needs of its owners and period technology. The break came in a thousand eight hundred seventy-seven. It was this year that the old building was replaced by the new construction that you see before you. This building from the end of the nineteenth century is an example of the then approach to architecture, where the practical purpose of the building was associated with aesthetic value.

Now pay attention to the architecture itself and look carefully at the facade of the building. Notice how rich it is. The architects, whose names we don't know today, have put a lot of detail into the facade, which makes the building more than just a simple production space. If you look up, you'll see two oval frames. In them are preserved wall paintings of saints. You will find St. Joseph and St. Florian. At that time, it was customary to entrust buildings to the protection of saints who were supposed to protect their property from disaster or fire, which was very important for mills where there was a risk of burning money. These paintings are now a rare testament to the then faith and aesthetics.

If you're looking at the building from the outside, maybe you're wondering what's inside. Although we are now staying outside, we can imagine an inner space that is just as fascinating as an exterior. On the ground floor there are Prussian and cross vaults that provide space for stability and the specific character of old craft workshops. The upper floor is already flat-ceiling, which reflected the functional distribution of space for traffic needs. The whole object combines the robustness of the walled structures with the fineness of the facade details.

But this building was not only about stones and paintings, but mainly about the people who lived and worked here. The names of the personalities who left their mark at this place are linked to the mill. Among them was Julius Guth, after which the mill bears its present name, and also Julius Neumann. The important figure was also Vilemína Jágrová. These people weren't just owners, they were managing a place that had to keep up with the times. And it is the ability to adapt in this story that is crucial.

Look at the building again and try to imagine the year one thousand eight hundred ninety-seven. There was a fundamental change this year. The mill stopped serving only the milling of grain. The building was adapted to produce hardware. Imagine the contrast. Instead of silence and flour dust, the sound of metals, hammers and machines began to be heard here. The mill thus became part of the industrial revolution, which at that time changed the face of the entire region. This transformation from food operations to the metal industry shows how dynamic this place was and how important it played in Rokycan's economic life.

Now, I'm going to lead you to one interesting thing that might seem like a little mystery. If you talk to the locals or browse through the old records, you'll find that this mill doesn't have just one name. In addition to the name mlýn u Guthů it is also known as Muchkovský or Koček Mill. Why is that? In the history of mills, it was common that the name changed depending on who was the owner at the time or the family stories that were attached to the place. Each of these names represents a different layer of history, a different family and a different section of time that helped keep this building alive. It's fascinating how one building can have so many identities and still remain the same point in the landscape of the Klabava River.

When you stand before this monument today, see it as a bridge between centuries. From the first mention of the sixteenth century, to the great new construction of the year eight hundred seventy seven, to the industrial era of iron production at the end of the nineteenth century. It's all encoded in these walls, in the paintings of saints on the facade and in the vaults on the ground floor. It's a place where water, craft and human ambitious spirits meet.

Before we say good-bye and you go your way, I suggest you go around the building again slowly, see the noise of the Klabava River and try to imagine what life was like in this mill a hundred years ago. Who was going through what people were talking about at the entrance and how they felt when they saw St. Florian watching their work.

Thank you for accompanying me on this short trip to the history of the Guthas Mill. I hope this view of the building has helped you see more than just an old brick house. I will now invite you to further explore the surroundings of Pilsen Suburb and discover other hidden corners of Rokycan. I wish you a pleasant continued walk and many new experiences. Goodbye.