Svratecký náhon, Medieval mill race in Brno, Czech Republic
The Svratecký náhon is a medieval mill race that runs approximately 2 kilometers from the Kamenomlyn weir on the Svratka River through the Pisárky district toward the velodrome. Its banks are reinforced with wooden beam structures supported by vertical piles that sit roughly 4 meters below the current ground level.
The canal was built in the 13th century to supply water to multiple mills throughout the city until most of it was buried during urban reconstruction in the 1960s. This burial marked the end of its role as a visible feature in the urban landscape.
The waterway was a busy hub of medieval city life where craftspeople and millers drew water and disposed of waste for their trades. Signs of this practical use remain visible in the surviving structures along the banks.
The site is partly accessible, but be aware that large sections are hidden beneath the modern city surface. Visiting requires some patience to navigate the scattered remains and understand the waterway's original path.
The waterway was originally about 11 meters wide and served not only as power for mills but also as a supply source for public baths. This dual purpose reveals how central water was to daily life in medieval Brno.
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