Valentův mlýn Water mill

Welcome to Valentine's Mill. You are standing in a place that is deeply linked to the history of this country and the rhythm of flowing water. In front of you is a Renaissance water mill, which is a solid part of the village Záblatí. Before you take another tour, stop for a moment and feel the atmosphere of this place. Do you hear the sound of water nearby? The stream, the Golden Sewer, which flows just along the right bank, has been the main engine of everything that has happened here for centuries. The mill is not just an ordinary building, it is a living witness to events that took place here hundreds of years ago. Feel the calm that exists here, and at the same time remember how much this place must have changed so that it could still happen here.

If we now go into a deep past together with me, until a new order was formed in these regions, we will come across a year of 15 hundred and seventy-five. It was this very important year that the very beginning of the existence of this place took place. The mill wasn't built randomly. Its creation was the result of decisions and the influence of powerful people. Thanks to the recommendation of Jakub Krčín, a man who at the time had a huge influence and knowledge of local conditions, here Vilém z Rožmberka decided to establish this water mill. The Rožmberks were at this time one of the most important families whose tracks can be found in many places in this country. This mill was therefore part of a wider economic expansion and its water location was absolutely crucial for its future functioning and prosperity.

Now pay attention to what you see right in front of you. Look at the facade of the building, especially its west side. See those interesting geometric shapes and patterns? They're sgraffiti. This technique of decorating, which was very popular at the time of the Renaissance, lies in the fact that several layers of plaster of various colours are applied to the wall and then scraped into the top layer of the pattern, thus revealing the color of the bottom. Here are these patterns in the shape of rectangular letters, which gives the whole house a very noble, harmonious and geometric look. If you look even more carefully, you will also see the black mark of the Schwarzenberg family, which decorate the wall here and resembles the period when this property belonged to this important noble family. These details tell us that this mill was not just a job, but it also had an aesthetic and representative value.

But the history of this mill was not just about beauty and peace. It was also a constant struggle with fate and destructive elements. The mill had to face several major disasters that could have led to its complete demise. It was a struggle between the human struggle for development and the irresistible force of nature. The first of these tests was a fire that was recorded already in 16 hundred and fifteen. Then, in the year sixteen hundred and ninety, something similar happened again and the building burned down. But people never gave up. This resistance is fascinating. Although in the year one thousand eight hundred ninety-seven a fire broke out again, which required extensive repairs, the mill was always lifted from the ashes. This ability to recover is one of the most important stories of this place. In a thousand and nine hundred and twenty-six, the southern part of the building was extended to a whole new floor to better meet the growing needs. And when the time came for modernization in the year thousand nine trăm thirty, the old water bike was replaced by a modern turbine, which meant a great technological leap in the efficiency of the work.

Who worked here and who made the decisions here? In addition to the powerful Rožmberks and influential Krčín, Matěj Nosek may have worked here. Every stone and every wooden structure here can bear traces of people who spent their days here grinding grain. Even though we are looking at a building from the outside today, within it is preserved an arched Renaissance hall and a mill structure that allows us to imagine what the inner space looked like at the time of its greatest bloom. You can imagine the noise of machines, the smell of grain and the constant movement of water that was part of everyday life.

But there is also something that can really interest you and you can think about. This mill is not just an ordinary old box that just stands. It is a monument that survived three major fires and still stands firmly on the shore of the Golden Sewers. Since 2000 thousand twenty, this mill has been officially protected as a real-estate cultural monument. This means that its history, its unique appearance and its souls are now safe and will be preserved for future generations. It's fascinating how this little piece of history managed to cope with time, fire, and technological changes.

Now that you know the story of Valentine's Mill, I suggest you continue your tour. Feel the calm of this village Záblatí, listen to the splits of water and enjoy the beauty of this Renaissance architecture that has now revealed itself to you. Take another look at the facade from another angle to better understand the beautiful patterns. Thank you for stopping by and paying attention to this historic monument. We wish you a beautiful and inspiring walk around Lomnice nad Lužnice.