Windmill in Bukovany

The windmill in Bukovany (Bukovanský mlýn) is a lookout tower built in the shape of a Dutch-style windmill, standing on a hilltop between the villages of Bukovany and Ostrovánky, a few kilometres from Kyjov in the Slovácko region of South Moravia. Its distinctive silhouette makes it visible from a long way off, long before visitors actually reach the site.

How to get there?

Bukovany sits right along the road connecting Kyjov with the surrounding Slovácko villages, so arriving by car is straightforward — there is a car park directly next to the complex. Travellers without their own transport can take a bus to Kyjov and cover the final stretch on foot or by bike, following a gentle climb through fields and vineyards typical of the area.

What will you see?

The tower itself stands 15 metres tall and was designed in the style of a Dutch windmill, although it never actually milled grain — from the start it was built purely as a lookout tower, gallery and small museum. A staircase of 64 steps leads up to the viewing platform, set at a height of 11 metres. From there the view stretches across the Kyjov area and the White Carpathians, and on a clear day visitors can even make out Kobyla Hill near Bratislava.

Around the tower a wider complex has grown up, built in the traditional architectural style of Slovácko, a region known for its folklore, vineyards and rural building traditions. The site includes a small museum exhibition dedicated to the region's traditional cuisine, along with recreational facilities: horse riding, pony rides for children, a paddock with goats and donkeys, a mini-golf course and a swimming pool.

The story behind it

The windmill was built and opened in 2004 on the initiative of Josef Kouřil from Kyjov, who used it to fulfil a childhood dream of building his own windmill. Three years later, in 2007, the site was expanded with a hotel complex, restaurant and wine cellar, allowing it to host larger groups — school trips, corporate outings and individual travellers alike.

When to visit?

The tower and its viewing platform operate seasonally, and the best time to visit is between spring and autumn, when the weather makes the climb and the view from the platform worthwhile. The surrounding area is known for its vineyards, so the complex tends to get busier during the autumn grape harvest — worth keeping in mind when planning a trip.

Frequently asked questions

How tall is the windmill in Bukovany and how many steps lead to the top? The tower is 15 metres tall, and a staircase of 64 steps leads up to the viewing platform at 11 metres.

Did the windmill ever actually grind grain? No — since it opened in 2004, the structure has served as a lookout tower, gallery and museum rather than a working mill.

What else is there to do besides climbing the tower? The complex offers horse and pony riding, an animal paddock, mini-golf, a swimming pool, and a restaurant serving regional cuisine alongside a wine cellar.

Is there accommodation near the windmill? Yes — a hotel complex has operated on site since 2007, catering to both individual travellers and larger organised groups.