Klamova Huť Blansko

Klamova was built in the years 1853 - 1857 on the right bank of the river Svitava on the site of the original mill, which has stood here since 1763, and which in later years replaced the hammer and sheet rolling mill. It was named after the wife of Count Jindřich Clam-Martinice, Augusta Salmová.

Between 1857 and 1893, the original smelter was in operation here, which was heated by coke and was one of the first blast furnaces in the Czech lands to use mineral fuels. Originally, coke and iron ore were transported to the blast furnace shell using the hydroelectric power of the Svitava River, later this system was replaced by a rail track and a steam engine was used.

From 1893, a foundry was established here instead of a blast furnace, and in 1906 a locksmith's workshop was added to it. Until the 1920s, mainly commercial and sewer cast iron was produced here, while part of the production was exported abroad. Technical reasons forced the operation of Klam's smelter to be closed in 1923.

The fact that Klamova huť has been preserved to this day is basically due to the energy flow of the river Svitava. The two original turbines from 1892 were later replaced by the Girard turbine, which was significantly more powerful, but even that was eventually, between 1898 and 1899, replaced by the Francis turbine. A hydroelectric power plant has been operating here since 1901, and after the iron production in Klamov huť was canceled, the power plant was reconstructed and operated there until 1966.

From the 1930s to the 1990s, Klamova huť served as a test station for water turbines.

In 1994, a sales and exhibition exposition of artistic cast iron was installed here, which no longer works here.

At present, industrial production focuses on thick-walled steel flues, stainless steel chimney liners, hot-air fireplaces or custom locksmithing.

Author: Andrea Štyndlová