Windmill in Rozstání

The Windmill in Rozstání, standing in the hamlet of Baldovec that belongs to the village of Rozstání in the Prostějov district, is one of the few surviving Dutch-type windmills in Moravia. Baldovec lies roughly 2 km northwest of Rozstání, tucked among the forests of the Drahany Highlands (Drahanská vrchovina) at an altitude of around 565 metres. The mill building, together with the surrounding farmstead, is listed in the Central List of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic.

Who built the windmill, and when?

The mill was built in 1874 by Antonín Zukal. From the start it followed the Dutch design: a round, masonry tower topped by a rotating cap carrying the sails, which could be turned to face the wind. The tower stands about 11 metres tall with a base diameter of roughly 8.4 metres, giving it a sturdy, compact profile that stands out clearly from the surrounding farm buildings.

How did the mill's purpose change over time?

The mill only operated on wind power until the early 20th century. In 1904, the miller of the time, Rudolf Zukal, converted the drive system: a gas engine replaced the wind mechanism, and the sails were removed. Even after losing its original power source, the building kept operating as a mill until 1922. Ownership changed hands unusually often during this period — by 1922 the mill had passed through fourteen different owners, a sign of how hard it was to keep such an isolated rural business profitable.

What survives from its original appearance?

The sails and the wind-driven mechanism are gone; they were dismantled when the drive was converted in the early 20th century and were never rebuilt in working form. What remains is the milling tower itself along with parts of the surrounding farm buildings, which is enough to recognise the site as a former windmill even without its characteristic sails. The tower's shape, proportions, and setting among the fields and forests of the Drahany Highlands remain the most authentic part of the whole complex.

What can visitors do here today?

Since 2011, the former mill has operated as a guesthouse — the building and the grounds of the old farmstead were converted for accommodation, a fairly common fate for scenic but off-the-beaten-path rural industrial sites in the Drahany Highlands. Its secluded location among forests, away from the built-up part of Rozstání, makes it a convenient base for hiking and cycling trips through the surrounding hills and woodland of the region.

Why is it worth a visit?

Dutch-type windmills are among the rarer technical monuments in Moravia — most of the region's former wind-powered mills have not survived to the present day in a recognisable form. The Baldovec windmill, despite losing its sails, has kept its tower and the historical context of a working mill farmstead, and its listing as a cultural monument confirms its historical value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the windmill still have its sails? No. The sails and the wind mechanism were removed in 1904, when the drive was replaced with a gas engine.

Who built the mill, and when? It was built by Antonín Zukal in 1874.

Is the mill still operating as a mill? No — it operated until 1922, and since 2011 the building has served as a guesthouse.

Where exactly is it located? In the hamlet of Baldovec, about 2 km northwest of Rozstání, in the Prostějov district, in the Drahany Highlands, at an altitude of around 565 metres.

Is it a protected monument? Yes, the windmill is listed in the Central List of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic.