Mysterious underground cathedrals from the years 1874, 1894, and 1917
Two brick and one concrete water tank, unparalleled in Europe, whose visit will take your breath away! This Brno “must-see” is located under the unassuming grassy area of a revitalized park on Žlutý kopec and offers an experience akin to that of another world from a long-lost civilizations. Three colossal underground tanks are a unique architectural monument and a testament to exceptional technical industrial architecture in its pristine form.
History
The construction of the Žlutý kopec Water Tanks is connected to the rapid development of Brno in the second half of the 19th century. At that time, the city’s fortification system was removed, and the city expanded significantly in size and population. Ensuring a reliable source of drinking water was absolutely essential. The new water source became the so-called Pisárecký water main, drawing water from the Svratka River. The water main was built by the English entrepreneur Thonas Docwry, the winner of an international competition, who created a water management complex following the British system. The water was purified in three biological filters and pumped into two pressure zones with their own water tanks. The higher pressure zone was established at Špilberk with two smaller tanks. The lower pressure zone was placed on the eastern slope of Žlutý kopec. Gradually, three voluminous water tanks were built here – two brick and one concrete with two tanks.
Present
The definitive end of operations came in 1997 when the Žlutý kopec Water Tanks were decommissioned, the water management complex on Tvrdého street was abandoned, and the trio of monumental buildings was gradually forgotten. In 2014, they were even slated for demolition. However, after the publication of their photos, there was an unprecedented interest in the water tanks, and their potential new use was considered. In 2019, the entire complex on Žlutý kopec was declared a cultural monument by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic. It was thus saved from destruction, gradually sensitively reconstructed, and made accessible to the public.
The oldest water tank welcomed its first visitors in the summer of 2020. The spaces also garnered significant attention from film companies, which want to utilize the uniqueness and monumentality of the tanks in their projects. At the same time, experts began to examine the second brick water tank. The monumental tank with pillars, high arcades, and fragments of fittings had the air of a bizarre temple. Illuminated in all its beauty, it was opened to the public with the addition of comfortable staircase in 2022. This was followed by the sensitive reconstruction of the concrete tank, which was preserved in very good technical condition. The entire complex, including the revitalized park, opened in spring 2024.
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Transport
Address: Tvrdého 15, 602 00 Brno
Public Transport
- bus no. x4 stop Tvrdého, then about 8 minutes walk uphill
- trolleybuses no. 35, 38, 39 stop Žlutý kopec, then approximately 4 minutes walk downhill
- ATTENTION! from 1 September 2024 there is a closure on Údolní street. Tram No. 4 is replaced by bus line x4, which departs from the Česká stop (stop of line 12 in the direction of Hlavní nádraží). Trolleybuses 38 and 39 – direction Masarykova čtvrt’ – depart from the Česká stop (stop of line 80 at the park on Moravské náměstí).
A basic ticket costs 20 CZK for 15 minutes of travel and can be purchased from yellow ticket machines at stops, via SMS, or by tapping your payment card on the terminal directly on public transport vehicles.
Parking
- parking lot at Masaryk Oncology Institute on Roubalova Street
- Tvrdého Street, Parking Zone C
- for visitors with disabilities, parking is reserved directly at the house at Tvrdého 15
Information for the disabled
Wheelchair access
Water Tank 1 and 3 are accessible. There is reserved parking for visitors with disabilities directly at the house at Tvrdého 15.
Events on site:
29. 10. 2026 – Ensemble Versus
7. 11. 2026 – Parade of Folk Costumes with Cimbalom Music
