The renowned mill, located in the centre of the village opposite the Parish Church of St. Mary Magdalene, was built from solid masonry. It also served as a residence for the family, with a dedicated room for labourers. The mill was powered by two large waterwheels. It is notable for the change of ownership over time. Initially, it was owned by Franjo Pust, and later by his “head miller” Viktor Karažinec. The mill ceased operations in 1969. The last miller was Dragutin Karažinec, who inherited the mill from his father, Viktor Karažinec. Dragutin Karažinec finished grammar school in Varaždin and began studying agronomy, completing four semesters. However, due to family circumstances, he could not continue his studies. Instead, he completed a financial course and worked in administration before eventually turning to the milling trade.
He was an active mountaineer from 1948 onward, holding all major positions in the Ivanec Mountaineering Society as well as on the national level in Croatian mountaineering. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Silver Badge of the Mountaineering Association of Yugoslavia in 1958 and received numerous honours from local, county, and municipal bodies.
According to available information, there was rivalry among mill owners, especially during the summer months when the water supply of the Bistrica stream diminished. In such cases, the mills located in the upper part of Ivanec fared better. Often, this Karažinec mill, with its two waterwheels, lacked sufficient water resources, causing issues in milling operations.
In any summary of the mill’s history, the intertwining of the Bistrica stream, the mills, and Ivančica cannot be overlooked. Given that Dragutin Karažinec was an exceptionally active mountaineer, it is essential to briefly reflect on Ivančica. Long ago, all significant events and curiosities were recorded in contemporary publications.
INTERESTING FACT
The parish priest of Ivanec, Milan Kučenjak, wrote about a fascinating event in the magazine Naše pravice in 1912, issue no. 25. Among other things, he recounted:
“...He was over there, and we were on Ivančica. Communication was conducted using powerful mirrors. His mirror appeared to us on Ivančica as a bright point of light in the middle of the day. Likewise, he saw ours. It was said that a hand was used to cover the mirror, thereby transmitting letters in a manner similar to a telegraph. Exactly at noon, a signal was sent from Ivanić, announcing that it was 12 o’clock by the meridian, and we adjusted our watches accordingly. Our lieutenant reported back, stating he was visited by a group of gentlemen and ladies. In response, he replied that he wasn’t as lucky and was alone. We sent him greetings, and he thanked us. On Zagreb’s Sljeme, there was also a geographer, but he had completed his work the day before and had already departed.
That afternoon, at 4 p.m., we observed sunspots as well, as there were all sorts of excellent telescopes and instruments available. It was a day of true enjoyment in nature for all of us, an unforgettable day...” In the same article, Kučenjak emphasized Ivančica’s historical significance: “...The French are no longer here, but it seems that Croats do not care about their natural beauties. The once-enthusiastic tourist from Ivanec, Dr. Josip Hruby, now the royal district physician in Kostajnica, knew our mountain like no one else. He had an impressive collection of rocks from Ivančica, which led him to suspect that Ivančica was a volcanic mountain in ancient times.
Another devoted tourist was Nikola Jordanić, formerly the district judge in Ivanec and now a councillor in Zagreb. Engineer Ante Vavrović and surveyor Pajek also found it easy to climb Ivančica at any time. I believe it was in 1886 when a member of the Vienna Geographical Society, Mr. Rehm, then a lieutenant, conducted geographical studies and measurements on Ivančica for about ten days. I visited him at the summit with a larger group. We spent the entire glorious July day up there...
„Let us ascend to our beloved Croatian mountains, where the fairies still dwell in the halls of ancient freedom!”
When mentioning the hydroelectric potential of the Bistrica stream, it is essential to highlight Ivančica, at the foot of which lies its spring. Here begins what was once a vibrant reality and is now just memories of the mills. The watercourse, then and now, meanders through ravines, once bordered by small white cottages and now by newly built houses.
This is a fascinating bygone era intertwined with various social activities, including economy, culture, tourism, and heritage. The unique qualities of Ivanec were recognized long ago by foreigners—French, Belgians, and Austrians—who resided here during different periods. Of course, even before them, the Knights of St. John (Knights Hospitaller) left their mark. In summary, we can emphasize the geostrategic, military, and economic importance of our region throughout its rich history.