Floating mill – grinding stones (Island of Love)

Sound of the floating mill in operation (grinding stones).
The mill is mounted on two interconnected floating platforms (boats) and can be moved up or downstream. The millstones are driven by a waterwheel via a transmission shaft. The whole floating structure is tethered to the riverbank by chains.
The mill is located on the branch of the Mura River on the "Island of Love" near Ižakovci. It was built in 1999 to the original plans of a ship mill dating from the early 20th century. Such mills were gradually replaced by those powered by electricity, making this the only operational mill in Slovenia which is fully in the water.
A peculiarity of the Pannonian basin, floating mills were either partially or fully floated on a river. These types of mill were developed because of the frequent changes in level of the Pannonian watercourses, and so can readily adjust to the varying levels of these tidal rivers. Today, they only operate in the north-eastern part of Slovenia on the Mura River.

Sound recordist: Boštjan Troha
Photographer: Irena Marušič
Video Recordist: Barbara Grilc