Horní mlýn

Horní mlýn is a historic water mill in Zahrádka, a small village belonging to the municipality of Čížkov in the Plzeň-jih (Pilsen-South) district of the Czech Republic. Standing on the banks of the Čížkovský stream, it traces its roots back to at least the mid-16th century and is now protected as an immovable cultural monument, even though its milling days ended long ago.

Where exactly is Horní mlýn?

The mill sits at Zahrádka č.ev. 3, right on the Čížkovský stream (also known locally as the Bichanice or Běhanice brook) as it runs through the village toward Čížkov. Zahrádka itself is a quiet rural spot in the Plzeň-jih district, away from the main tourist routes, which has helped the mill keep its low-key, village character.

How far back does its history go?

The earliest trace dates to 1560, when a pond attached to the mill — the so-called Trsínský rybník — was mentioned during the division of the Zelenohorský estate between the brothers Vilém and Hynek of Šternberk, implying the mill was already standing at the time. Written records of actual millers follow in the 17th century: a miller named Jan Trsín appears in the Vrčeň parish register in 1669, and the Zelenohorský land register (urbář) names miller Matěj Trsín in 1681.

Who owned the mill over the centuries?

By 1721 the mill belonged to Vít Vaněček, and by 1806 it was run by Antonín Vaněček — the family kept it for generations. In 1885, František Vaněček's only daughter, Marie, married Josef Šlechta, who took over as miller and turned out to be the last person to actually run the mill; he died in June 1947 at 91. Milling continued until around 1913, then wound down, essentially stopping after 1920. Before 1989 the property was sold as a weekend cottage, later passed to Marie Žítková as heir of Barbora Šlechtová, and today belongs to Ivan Šebek.

What does the building look like?

The living quarters and the mill room share one roof but are laid out as separate sections inside. The stone-built structure, with brick detailing around the windows, dates to the 1830s and follows a classicist design. Built into the hillside, it reads as two-storey from the south and single-storey from the north. Some timber elements — including the roof truss — are older still, dated to 1708–1728, and the mill retains its original vaulted ceilings and a preserved "black kitchen" (a chimney-less smoke kitchen).

What happened to the waterwheel and milling equipment?

The mill was powered by an overshot waterwheel built by František Mikyška of Kojetín. Records from 1881 give its diameter as 5 metres, and a 1930 survey lists the same diameter with 30 cm deep, 50 cm wide buckets, producing roughly 2.1 horsepower. The wheel was restored in 2017 and can still be seen at the site. Remnants of a single Czech-style grinding set made from sandstone millstones also survive, documented as far back as 1881.

Is there still a mill pond?

Yes. The mill pond — the historic Trsínský rybník — originally covered around 1,259 square metres with a capacity of up to roughly 2,000 cubic metres. It has a crescent shape and is fed both by a diverted branch of the Čížkovský stream and by natural spring and rainwater runoff. It underwent a thorough restoration in 2010, led by engineer Červený, which included desilting, rebuilding the dam, and installing a new outlet.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Horní mlýn located?

In Zahrádka, part of the Čížkov municipality in the Plzeň-jih district, on the Čížkovský stream, at Zahrádka č.ev. 3.

How old is the mill?

The earliest indirect evidence points to 1560, with documented millers on record from 1669 onward.

When did it stop operating as a working mill?

Regular milling continued to around 1913 and had essentially ceased by the early 1920s.

Is the mill a protected monument?

Yes — it's listed as a Czech immovable cultural monument under registration number 105308.

Can visitors see the waterwheel?

Yes, the original overshot wheel was restored in 2017 and remains in place at the mill.