Grindery of mirrors Rabštejn, Mirror grinding facility in Lindava, Czech Republic
The mirror grinding facility at Rabsztejn is a neo-Gothic industrial building from 1854 situated along the Svitavka River in a narrow valley. The nine-section structure displays Gothic-style windows, and production areas were partially carved directly into the surrounding sandstone cliffs.
The first mirror factory was established in 1756 by Count Josef Jan Maximilian Kinský, which sparked the growth of several grinding facilities across the valley. The site later developed into this neo-Gothic industrial complex that produced mirrors for international trade.
The facility represents a tradition of mirror manufacturing that supplied European markets and shaped the daily work of craftspeople in the region. This type of production was central to how local communities earned their living for generations.
The facility sits between the river and sandstone cliffs, which shapes its position in the landscape. Visitors should be prepared for uneven terrain in some areas, as sections are built into the rocky hillside.
The building features an extensive network of underground tunnels and channels that brought water from local streams to power the mirror polishing work. This sophisticated water system was critical to daily operations and parts of it remain visible today.
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