Větrný mlýn (Stará Ves u Bílovce) Windmill

Welcome, you're standing in front of a unique wooden windmill, which stands on a mild hill in the Old village near Bílovka. The surrounding landscape is covered with meadows and forests, and from a distance there is a fine noise of leaves, which complements the quiet whisper of the wind. In front of you is a massive wooden structure with four large blades that lift and trigger in regular rhythm. Note that the mill stands at an altitude of four hundred thirty meters, which gives it a convenient location to capture sufficient air flow. The whole object acts firmly and gracefully, as if it were part of the very nature that surrounds it.

Let's move on to the past and look at the origin of this mill. The first mention of the construction dates back to 1830, when it was built by local craftsmen according to the German column type, also known as the ram type. This type is characterized by a high wooden column, on top of which is a large wind wheel. The mill was built as a milling plant, the place where I grind the grain to help local agriculture. At that time, flour production was a key element of everyday life, and such a mill represented not only a technical miracle, but also the social centre of the village. In 1880 the mill appeared on the map of the third military mapping, which illustrates its importance in the region. Until 1942, it served as a functional grinding plant, when eventually its operation was shut down and subsequently the need to preserve it began to emerge.

Now let's focus on the architecture that you can see right in front of you. The mill has a square plan, which gives it a stable base. On the top is a saddle roof that protects the wooden structure from adverse weather. Wooden columns are carefully worked and are combined using traditional connecting methods that were used at the time in the construction of similar structures. The wind wheel, which dominates the whole look, has four blades of a length of eight meters. Each blade is wide and firm to capture even a weak breeze. When the wind starts, the wheel turns once every four to five seconds, creating a characteristic sound of rustling of wood and whispering of wind, which you can hear today. Note also that wooden beams and beams are clearly visible, which allows you to look at the construction principles that have allowed the construction to last so long.

Although the authors of the building are unknown, we know that the mill was built by the hands of local craftsmen who followed the then building traditions. Over the years, the stories of the ordinary people who worked here are tied to the mill because the mill was a place where farmers met to let their crops be crushed. Although the specific names of historical personalities are not recorded, it can be imagined that in the daily life of the village this mill was the central point where joys and worries were shared. After the grinding activity in 1942, the mill gradually became a monument rather than a work facility, and after several renovations it opened to the public as a museum which represents the history of windmills in our region.

The interesting thing that may interest you is the existence of two different views on the year of the mill. Some sources indicate that it was built in 1878, while other sources, including historical records, report the year 1830. This ambiguity gives the place some mystery and encourages further research. Another stimulating fact is that the wind wheel has four blades of eight metres in length and rotates once every four to five seconds, which is a speed that allows effective grinding, while maintaining a calm and almost meditation rhythm. When you look at rotating blades, you can imagine how during the summer months they turned into part of the everyday life of villagers who relied on the power of wind and wood.

Now that you have collected the basic information, come take a closer look at the details that you can observe directly at the mill. Look carefully at the wooden connection between the column and the wind wheel - there are traditional wooden pins and wooden pins that ensure the strength of the whole system. Note also that the wooden structure is preserved in its original state, although it has undergone several repairs that respect the historical character. The saddle roof, which extends over the column, has a simple but functional shape, which deflects water and protects wood parts from moisture. If you look at the floor inside, you will find wooden boards that are part of the original design, although they are only accessible from the outside today.

In conclusion, I invite you to explore this place again. Walk around, listen to the wind in your shoulder blades and imagine what life was like when the mill served as the heart of the village. Enter the museum exhibition where the tools and objects related to milling are exposed and get carried away by the atmosphere of past years. Whether you're here for the first time or coming back, this windmill offers you a unique view of the technical skills and social life of our ancestors. Thank you for choosing this stop, and we wish you a pleasant rest of the tour.