Brick Water Tanks on Yellow Hill

The colossal underground tank roofed with a system of vaults and cross vaults supported by brick pillars and walls is a unique architecture unparalleled in the Czech lands.
  • 19th century

In the second half of the 19th century, the water supply from the Svratka River was no longer sufficient for Brno. Previous efforts to obtain water cheaply for Brno were futile, and so in 1863 a competition was announced for the construction of a new water supply system. From four bids, the most favourable solution was accepted in 1869, based on a design by the London builder Thomas Docwry. The construction of the water treatment plant in Pisárky began in the autumn of the same year and, following the best English experience in water treatment, was completed in 1872. Raw water from the Svratka River was taken from above the weir at Kamenné Mill and treated in three open biological filters with a total area of almost 3 000 m2. Water from Pisárky was pumped into two pressure zones. The first, lower one, had water reservoirs on Žlutý Hill, and the higher zone had a water reservoir on Špilberk.

For the new water source, two new brick water tanks were built on Žlutý Hill in Tvrdý Street between 1869 and 1872. The colossal underground reservoirs, roofed with a system of vaults and cross vaults supported by brick pillars and walls, are a unique architectural feature unparalleled in the Czech lands. The skill of the builders, the technical sophistication of the design and the incredible genius loci of these places place these buildings among the most interesting Brno works of the 19th century. The waterworks complex on Žlutý Hill is at the same time an impressive historical monument of the era of generous city building and a valuable monument of the technical solution to the water supply of a population expanding urban organism.

The operation of these reservoirs was terminated in 1997 when they were disconnected from the water supply network and have had no use since then. Currently, the City is attempting to make these amazing structures accessible to the public through construction modifications.

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Phone: +420 542 427 150 | Email: info@ticbrno.cz

TIC BRNO is a public-benefit corporation and is financially supported by the statutory city of Brno.

VOUCHER

The voucher must be exchanged for a ticket in person at the underground ticket office at Jakubské náměstí 1 during its validity period. The voucher is valid for 6 months from the date of purchase.

We recommend making a reservation in advance by calling +420 515 919 793 or by e-mail: kostnice@ticbrno.cz. For vouchers with a discount (seniors, students under 25, children and ZPT), proof of entitlement to the discount must be provided at the Underground ticket office. The voucher for family admission is valid for 2 adults and 2 children under 15 years of age. The voucher is valid only once and for the Underground to which it is purchased. The voucher cannot be exchanged for cash or refunded.

 

Voucher to the ossuary of St. James

The voucher must be exchanged for a ticket in person at the underground ticket office at Jakubské náměstí 1 during its validity period. The voucher is valid for 6 months from the date of purchase.

We recommend making a reservation in advance by calling +420 515 919 793 or by e-mail: kostnice@ticbrno.cz. For vouchers with a discount (seniors, students under 25, children and ZPT), proof of entitlement to the discount must be provided at the Underground ticket office. The voucher for family admission is valid for 2 adults and 2 children under 15 years of age. The voucher is valid only once and for the Underground to which it is purchased. The voucher cannot be exchanged for cash or refunded.

Voucher to Labyrinth under the Green Market

The purchased voucher to the Labyrinth under the Green Market must be exchanged for a ticket in person at the Zelný trh 21 underground ticket office during its validity period.

The voucher is valid for 6 months from the date of purchase. We recommend making a reservation in advance by calling 542 212 892 or by e-mail: labyrint@ticbrno.cz. For vouchers with a discount (seniors, students under 26, children and ZPT), proof of entitlement to the discount must be provided at the underground ticket office. The family voucher is valid for 2 adults and 2 children under 15 years of age. The voucher is valid only once and for the Underground to which it is purchased. The voucher cannot be exchanged for cash or refunded.