Jindřichův Hradec – Castle Mill
Museum of fish farming, forestry and historical power plant
On the northwestern side of the castle stands the oldest mill in the city, built in the first half of the 15th century. In the 16th century it was expanded and rebuilt in the Renaissance style. Another intervention was carried out by Count Evžen Karel Černín in 1853. In 1887 it was converted into a hydroelectric power plant.
In the building you can see an exhibition focused on fish farming and forestry in the Jindřichův Hradec Králové region and an exhibition dedicated to František Křižík and the hydroelectric power plant.
Historic building
The building has retained its Renaissance character and its historical value is comparable to the most important buildings in the city. Above the main entrance, two stone slabs with the coat of arms of Jáchym of Hradec and his wife Anna of Rožmberk, with an inscription relating to the founding of the mill, are set in the wall.
Historic hydroelectric power station
The mill was built in 1551 and rebuilt in 1888 into a hydroelectric power plant, which was the first in Bohemia at the time. The turbine and dynamo were installed by the famous Czech inventor František Křižík. The generated electricity was used to light the city, and Jindřichův Hradec thus became the second city after Prague to have electric street lighting. After the first lighting in 1887, the city was permanently illuminated from April 1888.
After the reconstruction of the former mill, the Křižík power plant has been in operation again since 2002 and, depending on the water level, produces 15 to 50 kWh.
Water drive
A watercourse has been built from the Vajgar pond, which flows around the castle from the north, powers a water turbine, and the water then flows into the Nežárka.
Exhibition of fish farming and forestry
In the museum you will see original pond outlets as well as various everyday items of fishing craft and tools used when working in the forest. An attractive part of the exhibition is the section focused on rafting on the Nežárka River.
Hydroelectric power plant exposition
It is possible to see a functioning hydroelectric power plant with a Francis turbine. The exhibition presents the history of the power plant, its equipment and memorabilia of the inventor František Křižík, including the original dynamo.
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Giga List: Jindřichův Hradec – what to see
40 km northeast of the regional capital České Budějovice lies a picturesque South Bohemian town boasting the third largest castle… continue reading
