Vodní mlýn (Horní Heřmanice) Water mill

Welcome to the water mill in Upper Hermanice. Right now, when you're standing here, you're probably seeing the gentle, constant sound of running water that's been walking this place for centuries. The Sázak stream, which flows right around this building, is an essential part of its existence and forms the very basis of everything you see here. In front of you is a building that is not just a simple house, but a living witness of ancient times, craft and family stories that took place here. Feel the atmosphere of peace and history floating in the surrounding air.

Now let's go back deep into the past together to understand how this mill came into being. Imagine 1748. The world around us was changing quickly, but here, in the valley, a new chapter began to be written. This mill was built by a random man, but by a man named Ferdinand Dittrich. This character is very important to local history. Ferdinand wasn't just a builder or owner, he was a man with a solid lead in the local community. His brother, Gothard Dittrich, was the first vicar in Upper Hermanice. Imagine the connection between the spiritual power that Gothard represented and the practical, working life that Ferdinand led. The two brothers, one in the church and the other by the water, formed a pillar of the social order at the time. The mill was built at a time when the Baroque style also began to influence rural architecture, and although it is a useful building, in its spirit and in its origin there is a sense of period nobility.

Now pay attention to the architecture of the building itself, which stands right before your eyes. Look at the structure. See that typical grafted ground structure? It's a fascinating example of how people in the eighteenth century used natural materials to create resilient homes. In order to better protect the building from the elements, it was fitted with a formatted coat, which gives the facade this specific, layered look. Raise your eyes higher and look at the roof. It is very steep, which was not only an aesthetic element, but above all a practical need to get rid of snow and water quickly and do not burden construction. This whole building, although rural, carries elements of the Baroque period, which is reflected in its overall proportion and harmony with which it fits into the landscape.

If you could enter now, you would encounter a space designed with great balance. The internal layout of the mill is three-piece and each part had a clear purpose. The first part was a saint, the heart of the house. Note that the skylight boasts a very high ceiling, which gives the room a sense of tonnage and allows better air circulation. Right next to it is a hall that served as a connecting link between different parts of the house. And of course, the most important part, the mill where the very heart of work took place. In the interior, you would also find a small shalanda, a high ground that provided another useful space. Another important element was the black kitchen, a place where it was cooked on an open fire, where the smoke spread freely and where the warmth of the entire household concentrated.

It is interesting, however, that this life cycle, which was driven by constant water movement, was once interrupted. If you realize how long the mill has worked, you may be surprised at the date of 1935. It was this year that there was a fundamental change that changed the character of this place forever. The drive has been cancelled and water law withdrawn. Imagine the moment when the motion of the mill wheel stopped for the first time, when the famous rhythmic sound of work died down and there was silence instead. The mill stopped being the industrial centre of the village and became rather a monument, which resembles an era that had long since left.

This mill in Horní Hřemice is today protected as a cultural monument precisely to remind us of these variables. It's a symbol of a man, his faith and his work with nature. Even though the water no longer pushes the wheels to power the stones, its presence at the mill still resembles its original purpose.

Thank you for stopping by and paying attention to this little piece of history. We hope that this view of Ferdinand and Gothard Dittrich's life has helped you better understand the spirit of this place. Please continue your tour of the surrounding area, see the beauty of the Sazas creek and enjoy the peace this valley offers. Until the next meeting.