Technical attractions and sights in the Czech Republic

Industrial heritage is gradually becoming not only object of interest of professionals, but also a popular destination for tourists. The Czech Republic has lots of technical attractions and sights.

Set to know the technical gems of the Czech Republic, among them for example the hand paper-mill in Velké Losiny, mines in Ostrava, the iron-mill of Bušek, water power plant in Dlouhé Stráně and many other.

The Michal mine in Ostrava-Michálkovice
Authentically preserved buildings and equipment can be found in the former Michal colliery in the Ostrava district of Michálkovice, dating back to the mid-19th century. More than 600 m deep coal mine was established in 1843. From 1913 to 1915 the mine was electrified and rebuilt by architect František Fiala, a student of the renowned Viennese founder of modern industrial architecture Otto Wagner. The mine was in operation untill 1995. Nowadays the mine is included in the indicative list of UNESCO Monuments. Mining area including the engine room with original technical equipment is available to the public.

Hand-made paper factory in Velké Losiny
The original hand-made paper factory, established by the Žerotín family in Velké Losiny, has been making paper uninterrupted since the late 16th century. It is one of the last places in Europe where you can still witness the old traditional method of paper production and is the only such place in the Czech Republic. While visiting this national monument you can drop by the Paper Museum, selected workshops, the gift shop and the pleasantly furnished restaurant. Two guided museum tours acquaint with the traditional production technology of paper, history of the craft and a number of technical points of interest.

The Bušek iron mill
One of three surviving functional iron mills in the Czech Republic, the building has a permanent display on the history of water-powered milling, with a unique collection of iron-milling tools. The Bušek iron mill is located about one kilometer southwest of Trhové Sviny in Southern Bohemia. The iron mill was built in place of former mill on bone-meal in 1780. Bušek family bought the mill in 1820 and worked here till 1950s.

Čech Mill electricity heritage site in Šlovice
Set out to the early days of power generation in the Czech lands. The Čech water power plant, one of the first of its kind in this country, was built on Berounka river by a miller Václav Čech and it supplied 8 villages, 3 mills, a stone quarry and a few cottages in the surrounding. The power plant produces power even today. A tour of the small power plant includes preserved technical equipment with generator by Siemens from the turn of the 19th and 20th century and diesel engine by Škoda from 1920s.

Mayrau Mining Open-air Museum
An open-air museum devoted to the mining of coal in Kladno and Slaný Region in the village of Vinařice. Open-air museum was created in 1990s thanks to many enthusiasts of mining history. The extensive exposure shows a collection of 3 mining machines, lamps, mineralogical findings, measuring and rescue equipment, ..

Information centre for renewable resources and the Hučák hydroelectric station in Hradec Králové
In addition to the steam power plant from 1910, a hydroelectric plant was created in 1912. Now, the building also contains an information centre that provides an entertaining yet serious explanation using interactive exhibits of the diverse principles and possibilities of energy sources such as water, wind, sun and biomass.

Kolektory Praha - Prague’s underground
Underground tunnels - collectors, where is placed a majority of utilities, ensure the functioning of the modern metropolis. During the excursion you can learn the technology of works of the collectors and you can see the engineering network. You will walk under the historical monuments such as the Powder Tower, Municipal House, Old Town Square, Týn Church and many others.

The Les reservoir in Království u Bílé Třemešné
Thanks to its position in a forested valley of the river Elbe and its architectural qualities, the dam is one of the most beautiful in the Czech Republic, and has been classified as an industrial heritage site since 1964. It was built in 1910 – 1919, a long construction period was significantly affected by the World War I. In its time it was the largest reservoir in the Czechoslovak Republic concerning impound amount of water, and the longest dam concerning the length of the brick dam. Between 1920 - 1923 a hydroelectric power was built on the right bank below the dam.

Písek power station
The town’s electric power station was established on the site of the former Podskalský mill using plans by inventor František Křižík. Písek is forever written into history as the first town in Bohemia with standing public electric lighting. In the museum of town lighting there can be seen old and still workable equipment. Visitors can also see a machine room with a turbine and can therefore watch the operation of this unique art.

The Dlouhé Stráně Pumped-Storage Hydro Power Station
In 2005, the Dlouhé Stráně Pumped-Storage Hydro Power Station was included among the seven largest wonders of the Czech Republic. It thus took its place among the most significant Czech monuments, such as Karlštejn Castle, Prague Castle and Hluboká Chateau. The power station has the biggest reverse water turbine in Europe, the power plant with the largest drop in the Czech Republic and the largest installed power in the Czech Republic.