water mill

Rosenauerův mlýn is a historic water mill on an island in the Otava River, right across from the town of Horažďovice, in the village of Velké Hydčice in the Klatovy District. The building now houses a museum of milling and water-power use, and it still generates electricity as a small hydroelectric plant.

Where does the name come from and what's the history?

The building already stood before 1670, though back then it served a completely different purpose than today — it was a paper mill. For 164 years it produced paper, until 1834, when it was converted into a grain mill. That shift in function is one of the central threads of the exhibition today, showing how a single building and a single water wheel powered entirely different crafts depending on the era. The name Rosenauerův mlýn comes from the family of millers who ran the operation across several generations — a common pattern for Czech mills passed down from father to son.

What will you actually see inside?

The museum occupies the mill's original rooms and covers three layers of the story at once. First, the machinery itself: preserved milling mechanisms, gearing, millstones, and a water wheel that's still operational and set in motion during tours. Second, the everyday life of millers: their work routine, customs, and relationship with the surrounding village and the farmers who brought in grain. Third, the broader technical picture: how water-power use developed in the region over time, from simple mill wheels to converting the mill into a small power station. It's a rare chance to see two-century-old machinery actually running, not just displayed behind glass.

How should you plan a visit?

This matters: the mill doesn't operate like a typical museum with fixed opening hours for individual visitors. Tours must be arranged in advance by phone, and a group needs at least 8 people. It's worth organizing a trip with family or friends, or joining an already-arranged group, since showing up alone and expecting to walk in usually won't work. Guided tours last about an hour and include a demonstration of the working machinery, so it's worth setting aside unhurried time for it.

How do you get there?

Velké Hydčice sits right next to Horažďovice, in southwestern Bohemia's Plzeň Region, close to the Šumava area. The mill stands on an island in the Otava, so reaching it from Horažďovice means a short walk across a bridge or footbridge over the river — a nice way to combine the visit with a stroll by the water. The stretch is popular with canoeists paddling down the Otava, so in summer the river right beside the mill can get lively.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit the mill alone, without a group? No — visits require advance phone booking and a minimum group of 8 people, so it's best to join an organized trip or gather a group of friends.

How long does a guided tour take? A standard tour lasts about an hour and includes a demonstration of the working mill mechanisms.

What makes this mill different from similar historic sites? For most of its history it didn't grind grain at all — from the 17th century until 1834, a span of 164 years, it operated as a paper mill, and only afterward was it converted into a grain mill.

Does the mill still produce power today? Yes, the building also functions as a small hydroelectric plant, using the same flow of the Otava that once turned the historic mill wheel.