Průžkův mlýn

Průžkův mlýn is a historic water mill in Strážnice, a small town in the Hodonín district of the South Moravian Region, right at the heart of the Slovácko ethnographic region. The building stands next to the Church of the Ascension of the Virgin Mary, in the historic core of Strážnice, and ranks among the oldest surviving structures in town.

How old is the mill and where does its name come from?

The first written record of the mill dates to 1543, though some sources trace its origins back as far as 1486. Whichever date marks the true beginning, Průžkův mlýn is one of the oldest masonry buildings in Strážnice — older than most of the houses lining the town square. The name comes from the Průžek family, who ran the mill across several generations; as in many Moravian towns, mills were commonly named after the family that operated them rather than after their owner at any given moment.

How did the mill's power source change over time?

For centuries the mill ran as a classic water-powered operation, its wheel turned by a channel diverted from the nearby river. Toward the end of the 19th century the owners modernized the plant and converted it to steam power, allowing milling to continue at higher, more consistent output regardless of water levels. A second major upgrade came in the 1930s, when the mill was rebuilt as a modern electric roller mill. It kept operating in that form until 1975, when milling finally stopped for good.

What has survived inside the building?

The real value of Průžkův mlýn lies in the fact that its interior was never stripped out after production ended. The technological equipment installed in the 1930s survives complete — the roller sets, gearing, and transport machinery that once carried grain through the milling process are all still in place, giving visitors a rare, intact picture of how an electric mill actually worked nearly a century ago. The structure itself rests on massive wooden supporting beams typical of Moravian industrial building of the period. One detail that regularly catches visitors' attention is a wooden mill pillory carved with the date 1601, a remnant of the old guild order that shows just how long organized milling had already been established at this site.

Who looks after the mill today, and what can visitors see?

Since 2003 Průžkův mlýn has been listed as an immovable cultural monument of the Czech Republic. It is managed by the Národní ústav lidové kultury (National Institute of Folk Culture), the same institution behind Strážnice's well-known open-air folk museum. Inside, a milling exhibition walks visitors through the history of the trade, combining the preserved machinery with the story of an industry that shaped the local economy for centuries.

When and how can you visit?

The exhibition keeps regular hours during the summer season — Saturdays and Sundays in July and August, from 10:00 to 18:00. Outside those months, visits can be arranged individually by contacting the site's guide in advance by phone. A visit typically takes around two hours, and pairs well with a trip to Strážnice's castle or its open-air village museum nearby.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Průžkův mlýn located? On Bratrská street in Strážnice, Hodonín district, right beside the Church of the Ascension of the Virgin Mary.

Is the mill still operating? No — milling ended in 1975. The building now serves as a museum.

What is the oldest surviving detail in the building? A wooden mill pillory carved with the date 1601, preserved within the structure.

Can the mill be visited year-round? Regular opening hours apply only in summer (July–August, weekends); outside that period, visits require advance arrangement with the site's guide.