The Sawmill

In the upper part of Podvolovljek, near the Church of St. Anthony the Hermit, stands the Žagerski Mill, the only water-powered mill still in operation in the upper part of the Upper Savinja Valley. Before World War II, there were over twenty similar mills in Luče and the nearby settlements alone; however, as they were no longer economically viable due to electrification and technological advancements, most of them eventually fell into disrepair. The Žagerski Mill was already recorded in the land registry during the reign of Maria Theresa, meaning it is at least 250 years old. The mill was finally destroyed by a flood in 1990 but was restored in 1996 by Jože Kaker of Luče. The operating principle is the same as it was centuries ago. Water drives the mill wheel, which, via wooden gear transmissions, rotates a pair of black millstones. A minor issue, yet an interesting feature of this mill, is that it does not rotate at a constant speed, as the water flow fluctuates. About every two minutes, the water level drops or rises, causing the speed to change. The mill can operate almost year-round, with the exception of extremely dry periods and prolonged, exceptionally cold winters, when ice encases the mill wheel and the channels.