veřejná pumpa U Fitzů Fountain

Welcome to the Rokycans. You just stopped by one of the most interesting and unique technical objects in this city. You're standing right in front of Fitz's public gas station. You may find her a simple piece of iron and stone at first glance, but believe me, under that look, there's a rich story about industrial expansion, artistic craft and how people's lives changed in the late nineteenth century. Now look at what's right in front of you. This whole machine is built on a solid, square plinth, carved from a massive granite stone. This granite gives the whole piece a sense of unwavering and stability. Above this stone foundation is the heart of the pump itself. It is a richly decorated cast iron needle whose geometric shape and fine details immediately attract attention. Notice how light breaks on its surface and how decorative elements create a game of shadows. And now, please look up to the very top. There, as a guardian of this place, stands a cast-iron statue of a woman. Her character is not only a decoration, but a very practical origin. The woman you see is holding a pedestal that was once used for original gas lighting. It's a fascinating combination of utility objects and pure art.

Let us now return in time and understand why this object was created in the first place and what role it played in the then society. Imagine the period of the late 1980s, precisely the years between 1880 and 1889. This is the probable time at which this pump was created. At that time, drinking water in every house was not as obvious as it is today. Public pumps were vital hubs of urban infrastructure. They were a meeting place, a place where people learned the news and where everyday life revolved around basic needs. This pump wasn't just an ordinary water pipeline, it was a symbolic gateway to modern life. It was created at a time when the industry began to spread massively and when technical gadgets began to intersect with aesthetic demands. People didn't want their technique to be functional, they wanted it to be beautiful.

Now pay attention to the design itself and how this monument was made. Although we do not know the names of the particular architects who designed this shape, we can certainly say that one of the major companies at the time was behind the top technical level. The whole pump was made by R. A. Smekal from Prague Smíchov. This company was known for its precision and ability to create complex mechanical systems. But there is another interesting thing about this story that you should be aware of. Although the design and production took place in Prague, there is a strong supposed link to foundry in Blansko. This means that these complex cast iron components that you are now observing must have passed from Moravia to us in the Rokycans. Imagine the logistics at the time, the work of foundry masters in hot halls and the precision with which they had to cast every decorative element to fit exactly into the whole. Every detail on that cast iron needle is proof of the then championship.

When you look at a pump, you can't forget the surroundings that give it unmistakable significance. This pump is called Fitz's because it's right in front of the famous Fitz mansion. Johann Fitz's character is closely linked to this place. He was a man whose presence and influence in this area helped shape the character of the whole neighborhood. Pumpa is not only a lonely object, but an integral part of the larger whole that forms this historic suburb. It's like the pump was a silent witness to the history of the Fitz family and all the events that took place near them.

If you're looking for something that really surprises you, think about how this object has dealt with time. This pump isn't just an old piece of iron, it's a protected treasure. Already in 1994 this building was entered in the Central List of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic. This means that its value has been officially recognised and is to be preserved for future generations. And even in the near future, there is something fundamental going on with this monument. In 2025, a special restoration operation was prepared for this building. That means that what you're seeing right now has gone through or is going through a process that carefully restores the original appearance and functionality to preserve every little thing that artisans put in it over a hundred and forty years ago. It's a constant dialogue between the past and the present.

Looking at that statue of a woman at the top, one can think about how much the lighting of our streets has changed. The woman holding the pedestal for the gas light is reminiscent of the era when the nights in the cities were lit by a gas flame, not an electric light. It's a small but very powerful symbol of the transition between the old and the new world. This pump is basically a time capsule.

I hope this brief view of the Fitz pump helped you see much more than a technical component in this building. It's a story about human work, about art in everyday life and trying to keep the best of our heritage. Please continue to walk around this beautiful suburb. Every corner, every building and every historical clue here has its own voice. Don't forget to stop by the other attractions this city offers you. Thank you for your attention and I wish you a pleasant and inspiring continuation in discovering history.