Lesachtal
A few pictures from a 500 years old blacksmith's workshop in the idyllic Lesachtal, the western-most part of Carinthia, Austria.

   

The home of a blacksmith. For over 500 years now, this property belongs to th...
Another view of the home. Note the beautifully crafted decorations around the windows and the door. The workshop is to the left.
A christian memorial ("Bildstock") near the home.
The workshop's machinery is powered by water from the adjacent river. The original water wheel construction was destroyed by a flood a few years ago and has been carefully reconstructed.
The footpath to the water intake.
The water flows!
Water power in action.
Maria and me.
The water wheel driving the grindstone.
The blacksmith (Hans Tabernig) at work, grinding an ax. This may look like an easy job at first glance, but is actually quite dangerous if you lack the proper skill.
The water-powered grindstone.
Maria and Angelika in the forging furnace.
Michael, Hans, and the water-powered hammer.