Windmill in Štípa, A windmill and cultural monument of the Czech Republic in the municipality of Zlín.
The Windmill in Štípa is a three-storey cylindrical stone building on a circular plan, 8.5 m high and 5.9 m in diameter, built of quarry stone and fired brick. It is topped by an octagonal pyramidal roof covered in shingles, with a dormer through which the wind shaft passes. Its four-bladed wheel spans 10 m, each sail 5.6 m². Inside, a preserved mill assembly includes a 2 m wooden cog wheel with 68 teeth and a flour bin dated 1860.
The mill was built around 1860 by Kristián Kovář and his son Josef using stones and bricks from a nearby quarry, and operated for many years grinding grain for locals. After grinding grain continuously until 1941, it saw sporadic use during and after World War Two before finally closing in the 1950s, though ownership returned to Rudolf Kovář's family in 1989.
The windmill carries the name of the Kovář family, who operated it through generations and continue to maintain the structure with care today. Its simple, functional design made from traditional materials reflects the practical skills of the rural craftspeople who built such structures.
The mill is accessible from the outside and available for interior viewing by prior arrangement with the owners, who regularly maintain and repair the structure to ensure safety. The site sits at an elevation of about 340 meters and offers a quiet setting for exploration, with walking and cycling paths in the surrounding countryside.
The mill was sealed by the authorities in 1941, yet grain was ground secretly at night during the war. A gale broke one of the four blades in 1998, not 1990, and the wind wheel was repaired soon afterwards. The mill has served as a private museum.
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