Zlomkovský mlýn

Zlomkovský mlýn is a former water mill in Prague's Malá Strana district, standing on the left bank of the Čertovka – a narrow arm of the Vltava that splits off to separate Kampa Island from the rest of the district. The building is listed as an immovable cultural monument of the Czech Republic and belongs to a group of historic mills that once harnessed the Čertovka's current to turn their millwheels.

Where is Zlomkovský mlýn located?

The mill sits right at the water's edge in the heart of Malá Strana, on the stretch of the Čertovka that separates Kampa from the mainland part of the district. It's a spot most visitors pass without realizing its age – the mill and its neighboring buildings form part of the familiar waterfront scene near Kampa and the Charles Bridge.

Why is it called Zlomkovský mlýn?

The mill has carried several names over the centuries, each tied to a different owner. The name "Zlomkovský" first appears in 1532, when the property was bought by a miller named Pavel Zlomek, whose surname gave the mill its lasting Czech name. At other points in its history it was also known as the Maltese mill (Maltézský mlýn) and the Wendlinger mill (Wendlingerovský mlýn), depending on who held it at the time.

What is the history behind the building?

A water mill already stood on this site before 1400, subject at the time to the Maltese commandery of Our Lady beneath the Chain – the Knights Hospitaller foundation based nearby in Malá Strana. During the Hussite Revolution in the early 15th century the mill was burned; historical records describe it afterward as "burned and finally ruined."

The ruined property was then handed out on hereditary lease on condition that it be rebuilt; the estate at that time also included a garden, an enclosed yard, and a small street that could be closed off if needed. After Pavel Zlomek purchased it in 1532, it began operating under the name that survives today. By 1583, already damaged, it passed into the hands of Vilém of Rožmberk, a member of one of Bohemia's most powerful noble families. Ownership changed hands several more times over the following century, until in 1684 the mill was inherited by Baron Jan Jiří Wendlinger – the source of its other historical name.

The mill building and the adjoining residential house stood under a single roof but were laid out as separate spaces. The structure was built of brick, single-storied, with water channeled to the millwheel through a purpose-built mill race.

What does the site look like today?

Zlomkovský mlýn now functions as a residential building – its industrial past has given way to housing, a common fate for the historic mills of Kampa once their milling function ended. The interior is not open to visitors, but the building itself, and its distinctive position over the Čertovka, can be admired from outside – from the footbridges linking Kampa to Malá Strana, along the canal-side path, or from the area around the Charles Bridge.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit Zlomkovský mlýn? No, the building is now a private residence and is not open to the public. It can be viewed from outside while walking along the Čertovka canal.

Why is it called Zlomkovský mlýn? The name comes from miller Pavel Zlomek, who bought the mill in 1532. At other times it was also known as the Maltese mill (Maltézský mlýn) or the Wendlinger mill (Wendlingerovský mlýn), depending on its owner.

How old is the mill? A mill already stood on this site before 1400, though its present form and name developed over the following centuries, after it was rebuilt following damage during the Hussite wars.

Was it the only historic mill on Kampa? No – several water mills historically stood along the Čertovka canal on Kampa, all using its current to power their wheels. Zlomkovský mlýn is one of the surviving examples of this milling heritage.

Is the mill a protected monument? Yes, the building is listed as an immovable cultural monument of the Czech Republic.