Vodný mlyn Jelka
Vodný mlyn Jelka, also known as Némethov mlyn, is situated in the beautiful natural environment of the village of the same name, on the banks of the Malý Dunaj river. It is originally a ship mill that was converted into a stake mill in 1905. In Central Europe, it is considered a rarity as it has three floors. The mill in Jelka is an exhibition of the Vlastivedné múzeum v Galante.
The location in which it is situated is tailor-made for water mills. This is also confirmed by statistics from the past. In 1866, there were approximately 37 mills on the Malý Dunaj, 4 of which were in Jelka. By 1902, there were already 7 of them in Jelka, named after their owners. Némethov mlyn, which was the first in order from upstream, is currently open to the public. The first mention of it dates back to 1894.
In the past, mills served their economic function. However, the technical nature of the mills over time hindered progress in the milling process, and their location also impeded watercraft traffic. In 1885, the so-called Water Act was passed, on the basis of which all water mills that conflicted with police orders regarding navigation safety were abolished. This led to the aforementioned conversion of the mill into a stake mill. The reconstruction lasted from 1900, and the mill began milling again in 1906. Rye was mostly milled here, and according to the former owner's stories, farmers came to this mill from great distances to have their grain milled into flour or semolina. This continued until 1951, when the mill ceased operation.
The dominant feature of the mill is the wooden mill building. The technological equipment of the mill consists of three systems. The drive system is formed by a paddle water wheel with bottom drive. The transmission system consists of a main gear wheel and another pair of wheels, with a conical pinion transferring the rotational movement. The third system, the working or milling system, is formed by the entire technology, in which every detail fit together precisely to ensure the flawless operation of the mill.
You can reach the mill via a dirt field road heading from Jelka towards Dunajská Streda. When you arrive, be sure to visit the open-air museum located nearby as well. It will introduce you to the agricultural past of the village of Jelka. Naturally, refreshment options near the mill are also available. Anyone wishing to camp or anchor a boat is also in the right place.
Water mills belong to an interesting part of history, especially in the southern regions of our country. Book accommodation near Vodný mlyn v Jelke, for example on the page accommodation Jelka or accommodation in district Galanta, and set off on the footsteps of our ancestors. It was not so long ago that the mills were still operating regularly. Perhaps during your trip, you will run into locals who remember stories from this era passed down by their grandparents.
