Vinohrady Water Tower: A Neo-Renaissance Landmark

The Vinohrady Water Tower, or Vinohradská vodárna in Czech, is a prominent landmark in Prague's Vinohrady district. Constructed in 1882 by architect Antonín Turek, the tower initially housed steam engines and a reservoir, pumping water from the Vltava River and later from Káraný to supply drinking water to the surrounding areas of Strašnice, Žižkov, and Vršovice. The tower's neo-renaissance architecture is a sight to behold, featuring statues of angels at each corner and clock faces between them. The seventh floor originally held a tank with a capacity of 200 cubic meters. Although no longer used for water supply since 1962, the building was converted into apartments and offices in 1993 and declared a National Cultural Monument in 1991. Currently, the City of Prague is undertaking a major project to transform the tower into Hydropolis, a modern water education center. This initiative aims to educate the public about water management through interactive exhibits and displays, with plans to open a viewpoint on the roof and a café. The project is expected to be completed by mid-2026.