Časar's Mill

Časar's Mill is a restored water mill in the village of Berkovci, in the flat Pomurje region of northeastern Slovenia, between the Mura and the hills of Slovenske gorice. Mills of this kind once stood on streams and canals across the plain, grinding the grain of the farms that surrounded them, and many also pressed the seeds of the oil pumpkin, which is the crop most closely tied to Pomurje's identity. The hull-less pumpkin seeds of the region are roasted and pressed to make the dark green, nutty oil that is poured on salads, soups and even desserts, and the mill belongs to the tradition behind it. Only a few such mills survive in working or restored condition, which makes the place a valuable piece of technical heritage.

What sets the mill apart is its machinery. It is a technical and cultural monument built in the first half of the twentieth century, and its equipment illustrates how rural power was generated at that time. A water turbine of the Francis type, a design invented in the nineteenth century and still used in hydroelectric plants today, turns inside the building, and the machine drives belts and gears that power the millstones and other equipment. A wood-gas engine, which ran on gas made by heating wood, is another unusual piece, and it shows how farmers found fuel for their machines when oil was scarce. Wheels, belts, pulleys and sieves fill the building, and the restored machines can be seen in motion on tours.

Guides explain the milling process from grain to flour, show how the stones are adjusted and describe how the seeds were prepared and pressed for oil. A small ethnological exhibition presents tools and household objects from the middle of the twentieth century, such as farming implements and kitchen items, which give a picture of daily life in the village. The atmosphere is nostalgic, with the scent of grain and the hum of the wheels, and for children the moving machinery is a lively lesson in how things were done before electricity reached every farm.

The mill fits into a day in Pomurje. Other places of interest include the thermal baths at Banovci, the Island of Love on the Mura at Ižakovci, the wine cellars of Gornja Radgona, where sparkling wine is made, and the otter centre in Goričko. Regional food is also part of the visit, and many places offer pumpkin-seed oil, gibanica and bograč.

The mill suits families, technology enthusiasts and anyone interested in rural heritage. Check opening times and tour arrangements before visiting, since small museums often keep seasonal hours.