Buškův Hamr Trhové Sviny

Bušek's hammer mill was founded in 1780 near the place where the bone meal mill stood, and is one of three functional and well-preserved hammer mills in the Czech Republic. It boasts the largest oak hammer in the country, which weighs 300 kg, is called a "mare" and was used to process iron forgings. Its forging speed is up to 150 strokes / minute.

The local landscape has not been affected by industry for quite some time. It is more of an agricultural nature and industrial enterprises occur here rather sporadically. However, there are several smithies that used streams and rivers for their own power and as a source of energy in the vicinity of the town of Trhová Sviny. Both secretarial and hammer-making were trades that prospered in this area for a long time, but at present, unfortunately, they have completely disappeared.

Bušek's hammer is still a fully functional technical monument, powered by three water wheels, which start the grinder, hammer and blowers. The water to the hammer wheels is supplied by an artificial water drive with an overflow water cascade. Bušek's hammer can still be seen in operation today, in the case of favorable conditions of the Klenský brook.

Visitors to Bušek's Hammer can also meet a unique collection of hammer tools, such as hammers or pliers, which have great historical value. Every toolmaker made all the tools himself, so the appearance of some of the tools is completely unique.

Hammers often made small iron tools, such as plows for local farmers, shovels, hammers and axes. Of all the quarries that have survived to this day, Bušek's has been in operation for the longest time. Even at the end of the 1970s, the family of the last hammer man lived here and the hammer mill was in operation until 1948, but Jan Bušek could no longer run the hammer mill himself due to illness. Its importance thus gradually weakened also due to new technologies and agricultural workshops of state farms.

The current appearance of Bušek's mill is the result of a reconstruction from 1990 to 1995, which was undertaken by a group of enthusiasts.

Author: Andrea Štyndlová