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All Czechia Jáchymov Valley of the Mills (Údolí mlýnků)
AO Edited

Valley of the Mills (Údolí mlýnků)

A stream flows near the radioactive spa, where people place handmade miniatures of water mills and other strange devices.

Jáchymov, Czechia

Added By
Sebastián Wortys
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  Sebastian Wortys / Atlas Obscura User
  Sebastian Wortys / Atlas Obscura User
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  Sebastian Wortys / Atlas Obscura User
  Sebastian Wortys / Atlas Obscura User
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About

People take a lot of strange things to nature, so why not miniature water mills? There are several dozen of them along a small mountain stream with an ideal slope, and they are constantly replaced by new ones.

The mini-mills are made from materials such as iron, wood, plastic, ceramic, or even electrical printed circuit boards, and some also make sounds.

In Czechia, large water mills were once used to grind grain flour, while mechanical energy was obtained using large wooden wheels. Over time, they were replaced by more modern technology, but the nostalgia for traditional mills remains and is reflected in contemporary folk creativity.

You're welcome to create and bring your own handmade miniature watermill to be a part of this extraordinary place. The only limitation is imagination, and having an element that is spun by the flowing water. Sometimes even an airplane appears, whose propellers are powered by water.

Every May, the "Opening the Mills" event takes place, during which people bring new mills and repair the old ones.

Related Tags

Art Outside Miniatures Mills

Know Before You Go

Mill Valley is 800 meters southwest of Radium Palace and most of the way is out of civilization through the forest up a gentle hill, but the stroller will get there. The alternative route following the yellow tourist sign (yellow-white signs placed on the trees) is 1.3 km long. As soon as the stream and the wood road cross, you need to go down. GPS: 50.3524159, 12.927255 

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Added By

Sebastian Wortys

Published

August 21, 2024

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Valley of the Mills (Údolí mlýnků)
Karlovarská 707
Jáchymov, 362 51
Czechia
50.352738, 12.927623
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Nearby Places

Hotel Radium Palace

Jáchymov, Czechia

miles away

Royal Mint Jáchymov Museum

Jáchymov, Czechia

miles away

Karl Marx Monument

Karlovy Vary, Czechia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Jáchymov

Jáchymov

Czechia

Places 2

Nearby Places

Hotel Radium Palace

Jáchymov, Czechia

miles away

Royal Mint Jáchymov Museum

Jáchymov, Czechia

miles away

Karl Marx Monument

Karlovy Vary, Czechia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Jáchymov

Jáchymov

Czechia

Places 2

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