Sometimes, cities do not only exist on the surface. Sometimes, the real stories lie beneath our feet, in darkness, in places where time does not flow as it should. The Brno underground water reservoirs are one of those places.
Entering the Brno Underground
I step through an inconspicuous door on the slope beneath Špilberk Castle. Stone steps lead downward, and as the light fades, so does the feeling that I still belong to the same world. The walls are damp, and the air carries a strange, cold scent – something between rain and forgotten stories. Originally, these reservoirs were built to supply Brno with drinking water, but over time, they were abandoned. And when places are forgotten, things tend to happen in them that no one watches anymore.
Brno Water Reservoirs as an Architectural Wonder
The Brno water reservoirs are a unique czech technical monument. They consist of three main sections – two smaller reservoirs from the 19th century and a larger one from 1913. Each has its own atmosphere. The brick vaults resemble underground cathedrals, where high arches and perfect symmetry create the impression that you have stepped into a space where engineering logic blends with artistic aesthetics.
The guide explains that the reservoirs have perfect acoustics – even the faintest whisper carries through the space like an echo that refuses to fade. He talks about history, old engineering plans, but I am looking at something else. At the surface of the water in one of the cisterns. It is so still that it looks like a giant mirror. And that is where I notice it – my reflection is not quite the same as me. I stand there, but something is off. Maybe it’s just the angle of the light. Maybe it’s just my tiredness.
Mysterious Echoes of the Past
It is said that when the Brno Water Reservoirs ceased their function, people began avoiding them. Not because they were dangerous, but because something strange was happening there. Footsteps can be heard when you are alone. Sometimes, shadows appear where they should not be. Or reflections in the water do not move exactly as they should. Once, workers monitored the pumps and valves here. And not all of them ever left.
“I once looked into that water too,” the guide says with a slight smile. “And I’ll tell you one thing – it’s not always good to see yourself the way another world sees you.”
Returning to the Surface
We pass through the last corridor, where the brick arches are softly illuminated by orange light. The feeling that I am not alone still lingers. When I step back outside, the sun is almost blinding. As if I had emerged from another world. Maybe I had.
If you want to see for yourself, the Brno water reservoirs are open to visitors. All you have to do is dare to descend those steps and look into the water. Maybe you’ll see only your own face. And maybe something more.
photo: Jana Jamrichová
