Vodní pila Penikov, Water sawmill in Stoječín, Czech Republic
Vodní pila Penikov is a water sawmill in Stoječín featuring a wooden structure built into the pond embankment with a vertical frame saw mechanism. The design allowed water flow to power the cutting operation directly through simple mechanical connections.
The sawmill operated with equipment installed in 1865 and ran regularly until the 1950s when production became intermittent. Afterward, operations stopped completely as newer methods replaced traditional water-powered processing.
The facility shows how people in the region used water power to cut wood, reflecting practices that shaped local communities for generations. Walking through the space reveals the connection between natural resources and skilled craftwork that defined the area.
Guided tours run from May through September and let visitors watch the wood cutting process in action. Good footwear is recommended since the mill area can be muddy and the wooden surfaces may be slippery.
The mill keeps its original wooden mechanical system where logs pass through gates and move on carts to be cut by the water-powered vertical saw. This simple setup reveals how workers solved complex cutting challenges using only water flow and gravity.
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