Rogar's sawmill

The water power of the Soča and its inflows enabled the inhabitants of the Trenta Valley to build several sawmills and mills in the past. Our ancestors had an excellent knowledge of the mechanical and other properties of the wood of the various tree species. They used this knowledge to great advantage in the manufacture of wood bindings and sawmill mechanisms.

Today, Rogar's sawmill is the only remaining functioning Venetian sawmill in the area. It is located on the Krajcarica River, just upstream from its confluence with the Soča River. It was built at the beginning of the 19th century. A characteristic feature of Venetian saws is that the water power is transmitted directly to the frame of the saw blade through the water wheel. It is a so-called single-blade sawmill with a single blade embedded in the yoke.

Today, the saw is no longer water-powered (various factors have reduced the water flow), but all the components of the original drive mechanism are preserved and visible. It is currently powered by electricity, which allows it to be used occasionally for the owners' own needs, and since 2006 it has been involved in the presentation and interpretation of the technical and other cultural heritage along the Soča Trail. The sawmill is located directly by the nature trail, which is visited by a large number of visitors every year. Organised groups can visit the sawmill by arrangement.