Radostický mlýn

Radostický mlýn is a former water mill in the Bobrava river valley, just north of the village of Radostice in the Brno-venkov district of South Moravia, Czech Republic. It is one of several historic mills scattered along the Bobrava stream, alongside sites such as Anenský mlýn and Spálený mlýn, together forming a loose trail of the valley's old water-powered industry.

How old is the mill site?

The first written record of a mill on this spot dates back to 1349, making Radostický mlýn one of the oldest industrial sites in the area. Over the following centuries the property changed hands and was rebuilt several times, as was typical for water mills that depended on river-driven machinery - equipment was upgraded, outbuildings were added, and the mill grew into an important economic point for the surrounding villages.

What happened to the historic buildings?

The mill burned down twice over the last roughly 150 years, in 1890 and again in 1936. After the second fire, the building that still stands today was raised in the industrial architectural style typical of the 1930s. It is this structure - combining working function with the era's characteristic form - that visitors to the Bobrava valley see today.

Who ran the mill?

The mill is closely tied to the Procházek family. In 1930 its owner was František Procházka, married into the Vítámvás family from nearby Prštice. Milling activity at the site ended in 1959, after which the building was used for storage. Decades later the property was restored to the Procházek family, and the grandson of the last miller honored his ancestors by creating a pond on the grounds, named Procházkův rybník (Procházek's Pond) in the family's memory.

What is the mill used for today?

Radostický mlýn now operates under the name "MOUKA Radostický mlýn" (mouka meaning flour in Czech), a playful nod to the site's milling past. The venue currently hosts cultural and community events - concerts, gatherings and open-air happenings - making the most of its scenic riverside setting within the valley.

How do you get there, and what else is nearby?

Marked hiking trails, both blue and red, run through the Bobrava valley near the mill, making it an easily reachable stop for hikers and cyclists travelling between villages in the Brno-venkov region. The village of Radostice itself lies a short distance south of the mill, and the same stream valley holds several other former water mills, so a visit here can easily be combined into a longer route tracing the history of rural industry in Moravia.

Frequently asked questions

Is the mill still a working production site? No - milling at Radostický mlýn ended in 1959. Today the building serves as an event and gathering space known as "MOUKA Radostický mlýn".

When was the current mill building built? The building standing today dates from the 1930s, raised after a fire destroyed the previous structure in 1936. An earlier fire had also struck the mill in 1890.

Can you visit the mill? Radostický mlýn functions as an event venue, so it is mainly accessible around organized cultural events rather than as a fixed tourist attraction with regular opening hours.

How do you get to Radostický mlýn? The easiest way is on foot or by bike, following the marked blue and red trails that run through the Bobrava river valley near the village of Radostice in the Brno-venkov district.

How far back does the mill's history go? The first mention of a mill at this location dates to 1349, giving the site more than six centuries of history, even though the current building is considerably younger.