Valley of the Mills (Údolí mlýnků) in Jáchymov, Czechia

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.