vodní mlýn v Boharyni Water mill

Welcome to the water mill in Boaryn! You stand before one of the oldest preserved mills in our territory, which can tell you about centuries of work, water and human effort. In front of you is a grafted 18th-century building, which is still on its foundations for centuries - as a witness to the past that cannot be ignored.

Let's see what you see right now. In front of you stands the main mill building, which is mainly made of wood - a typical grafted building where each tribe is carefully embedded in the other, as if holding each other's hand. On the side that looks to the drive, however, the material changes: here you can see the masonry made of sandstone blocks that supply the building with a fortress and at the same time distinguish it from the surrounding wood. Notice how light is reflected from smooth surfaces of stones - this is proof that this part was built for endurance.

Behind the mill is a spacious yard, which was once the living heart of work. There are two wall drying rooms - one for grain, the other for chicory. These buildings, built from stone, are like the tower guards of the past. Their walls are strong and spacious so that they can store the heat and moisture needed for drying crops. Notice how their roofs are tilted - this is typical of drying rooms so that the rain cannot disturb the drying process.

Now pay attention to what's going on behind the mill. Look at the drive that turns away from the Bystřice River. This drive was once a life-giving windmill - the water was powered by mill wheels and machinery. Without it, the mill could not function, and therefore it was built right here, where the water flow is stable and strong enough. Water was not only a source of energy, but also a symbol of work and livelihood for the whole community.

Let's go back to the past now. The first written mention of this mill dates back to 1569, when it was already connected to the river Bystřice. That means the mill has stood here for more than 400 years! At that time, it was driven by a water wheel which rotated with the power of the current. The grain was ground here, flour was made and people from around here came here for basic needs. The mill was not only a workplace, but also a meeting place - there was a decision about life, about livelihood, about the future.

In the nineteenth century, the mill changed. It was converted into a machine mill, which means that steam or mechanical machines started working here instead of old water wheels. This enabled the processing of grain faster and more efficiently, but also brought new technology to this old building. At the same time, chicory - a plant used to produce medicinal products - started drying here. The mill did not only grind the grain, but it also became an important place to produce other products.

In 2003 the mill was declared a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. This means that he was recognised as a place of importance for the history and culture of our nation. Since then, he's been looking after him to preserve his original form and to tell other generations about the past. The last repairs to the drying plants took place in 2023 - roofs and roofs were restored so that the mill could become a full-fledged place that can fascinate visitors.

Now look around you and perceive the atmosphere of this place. You are standing in the village Boharyně, which lies on the northwest edge of the same-name residence in Hradec Králové district. This site is not random - it was selected for its strategic location by the river, which enabled easy access to water and at the same time to commercial routes. Boharyně was once a place where people met, worked and lived. The mill was their important partner, providing them with basic needs.

The interesting thing is that this mill is an example of how technologies and traditions can come together. While water and wood are materials that have been used since time immemorial, machinery technology of the nineteenth century has brought a new dimension to work. The mill is not only an old building, but also a place where the different ages meet - from manual labor to industrial revolution.

There's a place in front of you full of stories. Stories about the people who worked here, the water that powered the mill wheels, the grain that was ground here, and the chicory that was drying here. It's a place that tells us about our roots, how we lived and how we evolved.

If you like this mill and want to learn more about history, about the technique that worked here, or about the people who worked here, I suggest you stay in Boharyn for a while. Walk the surrounding roads, visit other places that can tell you their stories. Boharyně and its mill are just one of many places that can show you how rich and interesting our history is.

Thank you for stopping by this place. The mill in Boaryn wished you to take away not only knowledge, but also a sense of respect for what we have built in the past. May you continue to travel our country!