Technical monuments Štefanov nad Oravou

Františkova huta is located in Orava, in the Tvrdošín district. Although cadastrally it belongs to the village of Nižná, the entire building is owned by the village of Podbiel. It is the ruin of a factory hall of a former ironworks. The ironworks (huta) is among the most significant industrial revolution monuments in Orava. The fact that Juraj Jakubisko's films The Millennial Bee (Tisícročná včela) and An Ambiguous Report about the End of the World (Nejasná správa o konci sveta) were filmed here certainly adds to its attractiveness.

The establishment of Františkova huta dates back to 1836, when its construction began under the supervision of the builder, the Briton Newbuild. Permission for its construction was granted as early as 1819, 16 years after the opening of three iron ore mines in Podbiel. Construction lasted 19 years and was never finished. The ironworks was in operation until 1862, when it ceased to exist due to changing social conditions. Mines belonging to the Orava estate took care of the ore supply, delivering it from Zuberec, Habovka, Malatiná, and Juráňova dolina.

From the complex, which in its time was quite extensive, a blast furnace with an original height of approximately 12 meters has been preserved. In addition to it, visitors will also see the foundations of a hammer mill (skujňovacia huta), the remains of a water raceway, a blower chamber, and the perimeter walls of the hall made of fired brick in which the aforementioned blast furnace was located.

It is assumed that Františkova huta was among the most significant attractions of upper Orava. It featured top-tier processing at a level that competed even with ironworks abroad. It carries a message as well as a powerful story from the times of the industrial revolution, about the industrial development of the entire region, manufacture, and production. In 1963, it was declared a national cultural monument.

Every year, both tourists and locals are drawn here by the music festival Orava Alternative. It is always organized on the first weekend of August. At the end of August, a medieval and Old Slavic day takes place here, where you can come to watch demonstrations of original iron processing. The advantage of the site is mainly the fact that it is accessible via a few minutes' walk along the main road from Podbiel towards Oravský Biely Potok.

Although it is a ruin, visually it is very handsome and fits seamlessly into the beautiful surrounding environment. Children can play conquerors, knights, and princesses here, because that is exactly the impression the ironworks evokes. It is simply a majestic work that, thanks to activists and the promise of the village of Podbiel, is not falling into decay, but is maintaining at least its current form.

To be as close to Františkova huta as possible, book a stay on the pages accommodation Podbiel, accommodation Zuberec, or accommodation Nižná and set out on a trip. It is not time-consuming at all, so during your stay you will also manage to visit other attractions in Orava; Františkova huta, however, definitely belongs among those that are worth not missing out on.

In the Oblazy basin, in the attractive Kvačianska dolina, two preserved mountain-type watermills are located at the confluence of the Hutiansky potok and Boroviansky potok streams: the upper Gejdošovský mlyn and the lower Brunčiakovský mlyn. The wooden mills are a very lovely monument, sensitively situated in their original natural environment. They fit right into it, in no way disturbing the character of the picturesque Chočské vrchy surroundings.

The mills were built at the beginning of the 19th century. Originally there were three, and in some sources even four are mentioned. The third mill was a carters' inn, which was burned down by fascists in 1944, while the fourth mill was allegedly swept away by water. To this day, the mills are functional, thanks to the dedicated work of their volunteer residents, who are members of the Slovak Union of Nature and Landscape Protectors. Thanks to them, visitors can view this unique living exhibition. Inside the lower mill, right at its heart, a large water wheel turns, generating electricity and occasionally refreshing bystanders with a few drops of ice-cold water. All the original machinery located in the mills operates on traditional water power.

A stay by the mills acts as a balm for the soul. Lie down on the grass and listen to the surrounding sounds: the babbling of water, the roar of the waterfall, the rustling of leaves, the chirping of birds, and the occasional sound of one of the roaming domestic animals. You will find local goats and hens here, and ducks usually swim along the river as well. As you gaze at the impressive wooden structures, you will feel as though you have stepped back into another era. Indeed, many do not even want to return from here to the hurried reality of everyday life.

The mills are located on the route of the Prosiecka a Kvačianska dolina educational trail; from them, you can reach Kvačany, Veľké Borové, and Huty, and continue further towards Západné Tatry. The hike from Huty is not demanding and can be managed even by smaller children. It leads along a forest path beside the river. You can also get here via the Kvačianska dolina – Vodné mlyny Oblazy route, following the red and blue hiking trail markers with two recommended stops. The first is at the Kobyliny viewpoint, and the second at the Malý Roháč viewpoint.

Vodné mlyny Oblazy fall under the Liptovský Mikuláš district. Its surroundings, just like the entire Liptov region, offer wide possibilities for both active and passive relaxation, hiking, visiting museums and attractions, swimming in an aquapark, as well as great skiing. Book accommodation in the vicinity of Vodné mlyny Oblazy, for example on the accommodation Kvačany or accommodation Liptov website, and plan a wonderful trip during which you will also visit these unique mills. We guarantee that visiting them is a unique lifelong experience for both young and old.