Šítkovská vodárenská věž Water tower

Welcome to one of the most interesting and unusual buildings you can see in Prague. You are standing right in front of the Shitkovsky Water Tower, which rises above the right bank of the Vltava and with its presence immediately attracts the attention of every bystander. Look at her properly. At first glance, you may be interested in her unusual appearance, but when you look closer, you realize that this building is not just an ordinary stone object. It is a living witness of centuries, with traces of human effort, technical ingenuity and unexpected natural forces. Feel the atmosphere of a place where history meets the constant flow of the river and where every stone cube seems to tell its own story about survival and adaptation.

To understand why this tower is standing right here and why it has such a special character, we need to go back to the past together. Imagine Prague at the end of the 15th century. The original water tower was built here in 1495, but it was a building completely different from the one you see now. It was wooden. At that time, the water was the most important source of life for the growing city, and this tower served as a key point for the supply of New and Old Town of Prague water directly from Vltava. Unfortunately, wood is material that is prone to damage. The tower was repeatedly lacking in devastating fires, which at that time were a great danger to the city. But these tragic events have led us to what you see today. In order to ensure the sustainability and safety of water supply, the city has decided to take a radical step. The wooden structure was replaced by a solid stone tower between 1588 and 1591. This new building was supposed to be fire-resistant and time-resistant, and in many ways it really did.

Now pay attention to the architecture and details that are right in front of your eyes. Although the names of the particular architects who designed this construction have been lost in history, their work is evident in every detail. Notice the massive stone structure. There's a sense of strength and stability that the builders were trying to create. However, the history of the tower was not only about building, but also about constant repairs. Notice the top of it. In 1651, after the tower was damaged during the Swedish siege, it had to undergo a major repair. It was at this time that her distinctive baroque dome was installed on it, which provides the construction of her present, unmistakable face. If you look at the basic parts of the tower, you might wonder how it's possible that this hard construction still stands. In 1927, engineers had to intervene to ensure its stability, and that is why a steel-concrete foundation wreath was created around it. This modern element was necessary for the tower to continue to exist despite its natural problems.

And here comes the moment that probably fascinates you the most. Notice how the tower is moving away from the plane that you would expect from such a building. Look at her inclination. It is the most slant tower in Prague! From its vertical axis it tilts an incredible ciento 15 centimeters towards the southeast. It's a fascinating sight that makes you feel constantly moving. Why did this happen? The answer is in the very ground on which the tower stands. This whole tilt story is a story about instability. The construction was based on an unstable sand floor which did not have a strong and proper foundation. So nature found its way and the tower began to bend slowly but relentlessly. This tilt is not a mistake in today's sense of the word, but it is a relentless proof of how strongly architecture must conform to the conditions offered by the country.

In addition to technical aspects and natural forces, this tower also carries the shadows of darker history. If you look at her top floor, you can imagine what secrets might have been hidden there. Between 1977 and 1989, in the period that has left a deep mark in our history, the top floor of the tower served as a secret observer of State Security. Imagine that quiet, isolated room high above the city, where everything that was happening in the streets and on the banks of the river was watched in tension. This tower was therefore not only a reservoir of water for the inhabitants, but also a silent, invisible guardian who watched both political and social events. This duality between a useful technical monument and a place of secret supervision gives the Shitkovské water tower its deep and complex character.

In the history of this city and its buildings, the fates of many important figures that shaped our identity are reflected. Although the tower was primarily dedicated to technology, it is part of the same Prague tissue that is connected by events and people like Václav Havel. The spirit of this city, its intransigence and its ability to face unpleasant circumstances, is feeling very strongly in this tower. It is as if the will of the people were written in the stone, so that, despite the tilt, despite the fires and despite the political storms, they would remain firmly anchored in their place.

I hope you were interested in this brief view of the Shitkovsky Water Tower and that it helped you see much more than just a stone object in this building. It is a fascinating witness to history that reminds us of both human ingenuity in solving technical problems and the unpredictability of natural forces and human ambitions. Now that you know about her tilt, her repairs and her secret services, I suggest you continue your walk along the Vltava shore. Let yourself be inspired by the atmosphere of this historic city and pay attention to other sights waiting for you in every alley. Thank you for your attention and read what other attractions Prague travel will offer. Goodbye.