Větrný mlýn (Město Libavá) Windmill

Welcome to Libava Town. You've just stopped at something that is absolutely extraordinary and stands as a quiet, lonely witness to the ancient times in this country. Before your eyes is a windmill that is much more than just a simple building made of stone and wood. He's a survivor. It is the only army of mills that once surrounded this area, which today can tell us its story. You stand before an object that has resisted time, relentless changes, and the decision to end an entire military retreat. Feel the atmosphere of peace and a mild mystery surrounding this building.

Look at this structure and try to imagine what this landscape looked like earlier. To understand why this mill is so rare, we need to look at the surroundings. Once this area was much more lively and fuller in human life. There were twenty-four mills, which were an important part of the local economy and the everyday existence of people. But time and change in the surroundings, especially the emergence of a military retreat, have changed everything. Most of these mills were removed, destroyed or simply destroyed in oblivion. This mill is the only survivor. It's the last of the original group to tell us how it used to be before the landscape changed so radically.

Now pay attention to the very structure you see right in front of you. Notice his strange face. It is a Dutch type of mill, which means that its technical solution and the way it was designed carry us far to northern Europe. The construction has three floors and its shape is conical, i.e. one which gradually narrows towards the top. This whole object is made of quarry stone. If you look closely at it, you can feel the weight and strength of the natural material that has resisted wind and rain for decades. This stone gives the mill its unique character. This whole circular base has a diameter of nine meters, which gives a good idea of its dimensions and stability.

And now, please look your eyes to the highest part of the mill. Look up at that unusual roof. She has an interesting needles shape. Her greatest secret, and at the same time the most important feature is that she can turn around. This was absolutely necessary so that the mill could effectively capture the wind from any direction. This rotating roof is covered with shale. Notice how the dark cover perfectly contrasts with the color of the stone. Slate is very resistant to all weather effects and gives the mill its dignified and a little serious look.

When we talk about history, we have to go back to when this place is first written about. The first written mention of this object dates back to one thousand eight hundred seventy-five. At that time, this mill was referred to as Sidler's Mill. The name Sidler is closely linked to the history of this place. Even though the world has changed and the people who lived here are long gone, this name reminds us of the human presence and work that has been going on here for centuries. The mill was not just a machine, it was part of the life of specific families and communities.

But there is one other thing that may interest you very much, which shows how people tried to overcome the inaction of nature. The mill has always been dependent on the wind, but the wind is unpredictable. In order for the work to continue to take place even when the air is completely stationary, there was a major modernization in the year one thousand nine hundred thirty. A diesel engine was installed in the mill. This engine was used as an auxiliary drive. Imagine the technological change - the mill that was built for the power of the wind, became a machine that could work in complete peace thanks to the power of this engine. That was a big news at the time that brought certainty and stability.

This mill also went through a very difficult time. After years of no one taking care of him and gradually dissolving his condition, his fate seemed lost. But history has its own will and people have decided to save this precious object. In the middle of the second century of the 20th, the situation began to change, and in the year one thousand and nine, ninety-six, a thorough repair started, which saved this object from complete disintegration. One year later, in the year one thousand and nine, ninety-six, the mill was officially listed in the central list of cultural monuments. This has provided him with the protection and recognition of his high value for all of us.

There's one other thing that might interest you. You may be wondering why this mill is the only survivor of the 24-year-old. It's basically a mystery of fate and also a consequence of the history of a military escape. While other buildings were removed within military needs, this mill remained a lone witness. It's like time stopped at this very spot. When you look at his strong wall, you feel the weight of time and the relentless power of history that was going on here.

Now that you know his secret, his technical details and his sad and winning story, I suggest you stop for a while and just keep your eyes open. Feel the wind around you, and imagine how the same wind touched these shale roofs over 150 years ago and fueled work in this mill. It's a place where nature's power meets human ingenuity and determination.

Thank you for taking the time and for taking this short journey through history with us. We hope that this view of the windmill has brought you new views and that you will enjoy the rest of your walks in this beautiful and quiet landscape. Goodbye.