Floating mill – grinding stones (the Babič mill)

Sound of the floating mill in operation (grinding stones).
The mill has a floating water wheel whilst the grinding stones are located in the mill-house on the riverbank. Built in the late 19th century, the Babič Mill is operated today by the third generation of the same family. It was damaged several times (fires, floods), most recently in 1990 when the flooding water swept away the water wheel. The mill operating today is made of wood, and is situated on the bank of the Mura River. Its water wheel is attached to two metal boats.
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