Water Tanks Brno

Mysterious underground cathedrals from 1874, 1894 and 1917.
Two brick and a third concrete water tank, unparalleled in Europe, and their visit will take your breath away!
Brno's "must see" is located under an inconspicuous grassy area of the revitalized park on the Žlutý kopec and offers an experience as if from another world of long gone civilizations.

Opening hours

  • Tuesday - Sunday 10.00 - 18.00
  • Last entry: 17.00
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Website of the site
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Contact and address

  • TIC BRNO, contributory organisation
  • vodojemy@ticbrno.cz
  • +420 770 156 148
  • Water tanks Žlutý Kopec, Tvrdého 15, Brno

On the dates of 13, 18 and 19 March, due to the preparation of the event, the comfort of the tours in Water Tower No. 2 will be reduced.

Admission fees

  • Full 350 CZK
  • Discounted 250 CZK

    Students (up to 26 years old), seniors (65 years old and older), disabled persons, disabled persons with disabilities, children up to 15 years old

  • Family 2+2 800 CZK

    2 adults + 2 children under 15

  • - each additional child 150 CZK
  • Children under 6 free

A discount of 10 % s can be applied when purchasing tickets at the box office:

  • Senior/Family Passport
  • with a prepaid or one-day IDS JMK ticket
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Tickets can be purchased online, at the information centres on Radnická and Zámečnická streets and at the venue.

The trio of water reservoirs is unique in Europe

An experience like from another world of long gone civilizations or scenes from computer games. This is the effect on visitors of a unique technical monument that was almost forgotten and narrowly escaped demolition. Two brick and one concrete water tank served their purpose until 1997 and in 2019 they were brought under conservation protection and gradually opened to the public. The complete trio of water tanks was sensitively opened in March 2024 and you can see them in near-original condition. Visitors who prefer expert interpretation and individual tourists will enjoy exploring the entire area, including the revitalised park, on their own.

1874

The water reservoirs on Žlutý kopec were built for the so-called Pisárky water supply system, which strengthened the inadequate water supply system of the growing town. The first brick water tank was built in 1874 to a design by London builder Thomas Docwry. It has a square plan of 45×45 metres and a height of 6 and a half metres. The floor is not flat, but is made up of 'buttresses'. The regular and precise structure gives the impression of an infinite and ever receding space and is built of handmade bricks.

1894

To respond to the continuously growing consumption of the city's inhabitants, the second brick tank was constructed in 1894 according to the design of Brno engineer Emil Procházka. This water tank has a considerably simpler structure with a concrete bottom, from which rises a forest of seventy pillars of semi-circularly arched arcades supporting a system of barrel vaults. With dimensions of 35×55 meters, it was the largest underground structure in Brno at the time and also the last brick water tank that was built there.

1917

The third and youngest reservoir was completed in 1917. It consists of two mutually adjacent tanks of monolithic concrete, supported by a system of 87 concrete piers. Both tanks have survived to the present day in excellent condition and are characterised by their incredibly long echo time. In total, the Žlutý kopec reservoirs had a capacity of more than 30 million litres. Although it was soon discovered that the water quality was not satisfactory, the monumental domes served as a source of drinking water until 1997.

Do you enjoy the modern history of Brno? You will get to know it from the military side in Denis shelter under Petrov!

Even more of the Brno underground

The more of Brno's underground you visit in two days, the more you save! Come and see the Water Reservoirs, the Labyrinth, the Ossuary, and the Cellar. You'll always get discounted admission at the ticket office.