Minority in Hungary developing another tourism project
An umbrella organisation of the Slovenian minority in Hungary is renovating what was the only Slovenian mill in Porabje (Raba Valley), an area just beyond the border that is home to the Slovenian community. The long abandoned Filo Mill is expected to become one of the key tourist attractions in the area, CE Report quotes STA.
The long abandoned mill will be renovated using EUR 100,000 of Interreg Slovenia-Hungary EU funds and another EUR 500,000 from the Muraba joint fund set up by Slovenia and Hungary for the support of their respective minorities.
Located in the village of Gornji Senik/Felsoszolnok, the mill was operated by the Filo family for over a century, from around 1870 until the late 1980s.
"The Filo Mill is a symbol of our heritage and identity," Karel Holec, the president of the Slovenian Self-Governing Community, has told the STA.
The Filo family milled buckwheat, wheat, pumpkin seeds and barley before the mill was shut down. The building changed hands several times before being bought by the umbrella minority organisation two years ago.
"That was a key step in our efforts to prevent it from falling into total disrepair," Holec said.
While the roof has already been repaired, the rest of the renovation work will be extensive, as the Slovenian community plans to renovate the entire drive system: the water wheel, turbine and a century-old gas engine.
The project also entails funds for the purchase of the adjacent miller's family home, which will be renovated to serve as a venue for a variety of events with the focus on cultural heritage.
"It is in our plans for the mill to become one of the key tourist attractions in the area. We want visitors not only to enjoy a working mill but also to get to know our heritage and traditions," Holec said.
Local buckwheat products are expected to be one of the highlights of the destination, and Holec also hopes that the water well on the property could be used to bottle water under an own brand. "This would contribute to further economic development."
The Filo Mill renovation is set to be completed by 2026. Once renovated, the mill will join forces with two mills in Slovenia and two in Hungary to develop joint tourism programmes.
