In village life, the mill, the blacksmith’s workshop and the bell tower were once of outstanding importance. All three played an essential role in the everyday lives of the villagers: the miller and the blacksmith were among the community’s most respected members, while the ringing of the bell served as the village’s primary means of communication.
The mill’s principal function was, of course, grinding wheat into flour – the essential ingredient for baking bread, the staple food of rural life. The blacksmith was equally indispensable, producing and repairing all the tools needed by the villagers. The village bell acted as the “local radio”, informing residents whenever something important happened. But what events were considered important enough to warrant ringing the bell? Read on to find out…
Blacksmith’s Workshop from Hottó
Located at the edge of the museum village stands the blacksmith’s workshop relocated from Hottó, the only mud-walled building constructed using wattle-and-daub techniques in the exhibition. In front of the workshop, beneath the open-sided shoeing shelter, the blacksmith stored tools awaiting repair and shoed horses.
Village blacksmiths were responsible for the manufacture and repair of agricultural tools as well as shoeing horses and cattle. They forged many of their own tools, including hammers and tongs, while anvils and bellows were purchased from workshops and manufactories.
Many blacksmiths also practised animal healing and even tooth extraction. Villagers enjoyed visiting the blacksmith because he was always well informed: everyone passing through brought news from neighbouring villages. The trade was often passed down through generations within the same family, and farming families frequently apprenticed their sons to experienced blacksmiths.
Did you know that the blacksmith was one of the central figures of traditional Göcsej villages?
Without a skilled blacksmith, the entire community could have found itself in serious difficulty. Besides making horseshoes, he produced the tools and implements needed for farming and everyday work. Since every household relied on his craftsmanship, he also became the keeper and messenger of local news – a true pillar of the community.
A unique feature of this workshop is that Soós Antal, the last blacksmith to work here, sold the entire workshop to the Open-Air Museum together with all of his tools. Even the original trade sign above the entrance remains in place, testifying to the master’s craftsmanship.
Hencz Watermill
Registered as a protected historic monument since 1957, the Hencz Watermill is the only building in the Village Museum that still stands in its original location. The history of the mill dates back to the 18th century, and the building itself preserves traces of the alterations made over the centuries. The boundary between the original timber structure and the later brick extension is still clearly visible.
Following its modernisation at the beginning of the 20th century, the watermill became capable not only of cleaning and grinding grain, but also of producing and grading flour of different finenesses.
Millers were highly skilled craftsmen whose expertise extended beyond milling flour to the construction, maintenance and repair of the mill’s complex machinery.
Interesting Fact: Did you know that the Hencz Watermill is the only building in the Göcsej Village Museum standing in its original location?
And it has been there for a very long time! The section of the mill facing the water dates back to the 18th century. The last miller, György Hencz Jr., expanded and modernised the mill in the early 1900s.
According to family tradition, the notorious outlaw Savanyú Jóska was acquainted with György Hencz Sr. In return for an invitation to dinner, he presented the miller with a pair of pipes carved from deer antler.
Skirted Bell Tower from Budafa
The distinctive skirted bell tower was a characteristic sacred structure of the villages of Göcsej. Covered with wooden shingles, it takes its name from the broad protective wooden panels surrounding its base, which resemble a skirt. The bell tower displayed here was built in Budafa in 1888.
The ringing of the bell played an important role in village communication. It called people to Mass and church services, warned of danger, signalled the times for work and rest, and announced deaths within the community.
