vodní mlýn a mandl Water mill

Welcome to Havlovice, in a quiet corner where history still breathes in every breath of air and in the noise of flowing water. Right now, you're standing in front of a place that carries centuries of human effort, faith, and craftsmanship. In front of you is a building that has been the heart of the local economy for centuries and witnessed the transformation of the entire region. It's Regner Mill, also known as Havlovický Water Mill. Feel the atmosphere of this place, which is located on the eastern edge of the village itself, in close proximity to the river Úpa. It was this river, with its ever-flowing currents, that was the main reason why this building was placed here. The water was not only a source of life, but a source of energy, which powered wheels and grinding stones.

Let us now return together in time more than 300 years ago. Imagine 1674. At that time, the area was under the influence of the Walloon authorities, which had the mill built this year. In the seventeenth century, the water mill was a key element of every community. It was not just a place for grinding grain, but a place for meeting people, a center of economics and a symbol of stability. This mill has served its original purpose for decades and has become a solid part of the landscape and the lives of local people. When you look at the building today, you realize how many generations of mills have worked here, how many bags of grain have passed through its gates and what the rhythm of life dictated by the flow of the Upa River.

Now pay attention to the appearance of the monument itself. Even though the building was changing over time, you still feel the spirit of the old craft. Look at the facade and see its stability. Although we do not know the names of the particular architects who designed this construction, it is clear that it was built with regard to the practicality and proximity of the water. If you look in front of the mill, you'll see a monument. It is here today that there is a commemorative plaque that reminds one of the most important personalities associated with this place. It's interesting to see how these details work in time. Originally, in 1923, this plate was festively revealed right on the facade of the mill so that everyone who passed by could see immediately who was born here. But two decades later, in 1944, the plate was transferred from the facade to this very monument in front of the building, where it remains still a silent guardian of memory.

And right now, we're coming up with a personality that gives this place a deeper dimension. Regner's mill is not only a technical monument, it is mainly a native place of the patriotic priest Josef Regner-Havlovický. Imagine a young man who grew up in an environment full of work, the noise of water and rural calm, and who later brought his patriotic beliefs into his spiritual service. For many people, this place is a pilgrimage because of him. Josef Regner-Havlovický embodied a union of deep faith and love for the country, and the fact that he was born here, in this mill, gives the building almost sacral dimension. It is a reminder of how the environment in which man grows up can shape his character and future life path.

However, the history of this place is not only about peace and tradition, but also about sharp changes and a new beginning. Let's move to the nineteenth century. There was a fundamental change in 1863. The mill stopped serving only the milling of grain and was converted into a mill. It was a period of industrial revolution when traditional crafts turned into factory production. The water from the river Upa was no longer driven by grinding stones, but also by machinery for textile processing. Unfortunately, this new beginning was short. The building was hit by a fire that was so devastating that the mill was no longer restored. The history of this place might seem to end with this fire, but fate had other plans.

Otto Kunkl appeared on the ruins of the burnt weaving plant between 1887 and 1889. This man decided to build an almond instead of a destroyed building. For those of you who may not know, almond was a machine used for pressing and ironing fabrics to be smooth and shiny. Kunkl's almond was powered by a small water turbine, which was a modern way of using water energy at that time. By doing so, the mill returned to activities that used the power of the river, albeit in a different form. It is fascinating to think how the functions of the building changed depending on the needs of the time: from mill to mill to tonsils.

If you are interested in the technical details that have been preserved in the building, I suggest you think about what remains hidden inside or near the building. The Kaplan turbine was preserved in the building, which is a masterpiece of water technology, which makes it possible to effectively transform the energy of flowing water into mechanical movement. We'll find six sandstone grinding stones along with it. These stones are a silent witness to the oldest era of this place, where, in the rhythm of the water, the grinding crop for the whole area. Imagine those heavy, rough surfaces of sandstone that, for thousands of turns, rubbed each other to feed people in Havlovice and surrounding villages.

There is also one interesting thing that leads us to the mid-20th century. In 1943 another part of the operation was set up at the tonsils, which shows that even in the most difficult times of World War II this place remained active and performed its function. It's evidence of endurance and ability to adapt, which has been encoded in this place since 1674.

Now if you look around again, you'll see more than just an old building by the river. You will see the meeting place of the seventeenth century, the patriotic spirit of priest Josef Regner-Havlovický and industrial ambition of Otto Kunkle. It's a place where the water from the river of Úpa still tells stories about grinding, tissue and pressing, about fire that he destroyed, and about people who had the power to rebuild.

Thank you for stopping with me, accompanied by this audio guide, at Regner's Mill. I hope you have felt the depth of history that persists in these walls and the surrounding air. We now invite you to explore the Havlovice area. Maybe you'll stop by the river, listen to her noise, and try to imagine what the mill sounded like centuries ago when the noise of machines mixed with the voices of working people. I wish you a pleasant continuation in your discovery of the beauty of our region. Goodbye.