Vodní hamr Dobřív

About the museum

The Dobřív upper hammer mill is the largest and most important monument of its kind in the Czech Republic. The hammer mills at Dobřív have been documented in writing since 1614, and during the Thirty Years' War the ironworks at Dobřív were among the largest iron producers in the area. The present brick building was erected after 1765 on the site of older wooden hammer mills from 1658 and 1701, which were combined into one building; in the first third of the 19th century it was remodelled in the Empire style.

In the 1860s the hammer mill was rebuilt to produce forgings from malleable iron, for example parts of agricultural tools, anvils, railway forgings and horseshoes. This production continued here until the mid-20th century. The machinery of the hammer mill was driven by four overshot waterwheels, which were fed by wooden troughs from the pond.

After production stopped, the hammer mill became a museum exhibition, and in 2010 the government declared it a national cultural monument. The owner is the Plzeň Region, and administration is by the West Bohemian Museum in Plzeň. In May 2020 the restoration of the dilapidated technical equipment, the construction of visitor facilities and the creation of an accompanying exhibition on the history of ironworking in Dobřív were completed. Today visitors can see a fully functional technical installation, a smithy hearth and demonstrations of work under the trip hammers.

Highlights

• Fully functional late 19th-century hammer mill with four waterwheels
• Demonstrations of blacksmith work under the trip hammers and at the anvil
• Drop hammer and pillar drill
• Exhibition on the history of ironworking in the Podbrdsko region and iron-making in Dobřív
• Hammermen's Day every third Saturday in May
• Memorial room of the actor Jindřich Mošna

Permanent exhibitions

• Vodní hamr Dobřív – A fully functional late 19th-century hammer mill with a smithy hearth, drop hammers and four waterwheels; during the tour, blacksmith work under the trip hammers and hand work at the anvil are demonstrated.
• Expozice k dějinám železářství na Podbrdsku a hutnictví v Dobřívě – The accompanying exhibition was created during the restoration of the hammer mill, completed in 2020, and presents ironworking production in the region.
• Pamětní síň Jindřicha Mošny – The exhibition on the life and work of the National Theatre actor has been housed since 2005 in a house that formerly belonged to the family of his wife; it is located outside the hammer mill grounds.

Operated by

Západočeské muzeum v Plzni (majitel Plzeňský kraj)

Admission & discounts

The museum pass allows 8 entries to any permanent exhibition or exhibit of the West Bohemian Museum at reduced admission and is valid for one year. Holders of AMG, ICOM, ICOMOS and ZMS cards also enter free. Visitors to the Centre of Building Heritage in Plasy receive a 20% discount on one exhibition or display.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Children under 3 enter free; a family ticket for CZK 190 is available for families.

Getting there & parking

The hammer mill lies in the village of Dobřív, near Rokycany.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit