Vodojem Water tower

Welcome to history and clean water. You're standing in front of one of the most interesting waterworks in this part of the country. Before we go into the exploration itself, let yourself stand for a moment and soak up the atmosphere of the place. You are in a dense, green forest where you are surrounded by the peace and quiet of nature. Only occasionally will you be remembered by the distant, muffled noise of cars from a nearby highway, but here, in this backwater corner between Skorkov and Zbinohy, time seems to be stopped. In front of you, there's a watercourse, a building that's much more than a simple technical object. It's proof of how people were able to combine utility with high art over a century ago.

Now let's move forward in time and see how this building came to be. This building, which you are now observing, was completed in the year of a thousand nine hundred and twelve. At that time, it was necessary to provide quality and reliable water for the surrounding areas, so this Art Nouveau water was constructed along with the gravitational water supply. Imagine the time when the world was changing, when modern scientific knowledge began to intertwine with traditional craft and beauty. The designer of this work was Mr. Václav Špitálský. That was the man who knew that even the most important technical structure had to have its face, its dignity and its aesthetic value. Thanks to his vision, this watershed is not only a vessel for water, but also a beautiful example of the architecture of his time, which is not afraid to combine functionality with elegance.

Now pay attention to the architecture itself and to what you see right in front of you. Notice how this building naturally enters this forest terrain. It's not just a random location. This whole object is partially embedded directly into the ground, which gives it a sense of stability and a strong connection to the soil. Look at the outer shell of the building. Notice the stones. They are barefoot stones that give the construction a very interesting and robust look. Their rough, uneven texture creates a fascinating game of light and shadow, especially when the sun shines through the trees and hits their surface. This rudeness contrasts with the precision found elsewhere in the building. If you look closer at the details of the structure, you can see the slide chamber. It was carefully built from bricks and stone, which gives it a sense of resistance and durability. The whole Art Nouveau style you see here is reflected in this harmonious combination of different materials and their textures.

Although this building may seem like a quiet, sleeping giant, it's actually the heart of the entire water system. Vodojem serves for taking and especially for water treatment, which is a fascinating process. Water from a nearby natural resource flows through limestone filters. These layers of lime are absolutely crucial to keep the water clean, clear and safe for humans. It's a fascinating combination of the power of nature and human knowledge. This whole building can process up to ten litres of water every single second. Imagine the constant, silent and rhythmic flow that takes place inside these walls, even if the outside is just a quiet forest landscape.

Perhaps you are now being told why Art Nouveau architecture was chosen for this purpose? Why not a simple, simple building without decorating? The answer lies in the view of the world at that time. People believed at that time that even the most basic needs of a man like drinking water deserved beauty and aesthetic level. Vodojem in Skorkov is so a symbol of a time when technology was not considered to be something to be hidden and ugly, but something to be part of a beautiful world.

This building has been through many milestones and periods. While its expansion was planned in the 1980s in order to be better involved in the water system at the time, these plans were later abolished. But what may have seemed to be a failure at the time proved to be a great happiness for all of us. Thanks to the fact that the construction was not affected by new elements, it remained as designed by Václav Špitálský. And it was thanks to this integrity that in the year two thousand and seventeen it was declared a cultural monument. That is the highest recognition that can be given to such a work. It means that it is not only a technical object, but part of our common heritage that we must protect and cherish for future generations.

Now that you've seen this unique water work, I suggest you continue your walk around this forest area. Feel the calm that exists here, and look at the details you may have missed at first glance. Every stone, every brick and every shadow here has their own story. Maybe you'll stop at one of the calcium filters, or you'll just let yourself get carried away by the idea of how water flowed over a century ago through the same pathways as today. Thank you for coming to see this water and for taking the time to know it. We'll wait you out in other places of our journey. Goodbye.