Tyršova veřejná plovárna

Tyršova veřejná plovárna is one of the largest and oldest open-air swimming facilities in the Czech Republic, operating in Vysoké Mýto continuously since the 1930s. The site has kept its interwar-era atmosphere and still draws both local residents and travelers looking for an unusual summer destination.

How did the site come to be?

The swimming area was built in 1933 with joint funding from the town and TJ Sokol, the sports organization that ran it for many years afterward. One curious detail concerns the main pavilion building: it was originally constructed in 1931 as an exhibition pavilion for the Physical Culture and Sport Exhibition held in Pardubice. Once that exhibition ended, the structure was relocated to Vysoké Mýto and repurposed as the service building for the newly built swimming area. Since 1996, the facility has been maintained by the town's technical services department (Technické služby Vysoké Mýto), which has preserved its historic character through subsequent renovations.

What makes this swimming spot stand out?

The main draw is the unusual size of the central water area — 106 by 60 meters, with water depth ranging from just 10 centimeters up to 160 centimeters, making it suitable for families with young children. Next to it sits a separate swimming pool measuring 50 by 12 meters, where depth reaches from 2 up to 4 meters beneath the diving tower.

What activities are available on site?

Visitors can use a 96-meter water slide along with an additional 19-meter slide, plus a smaller slide built specifically for younger children. Beach sports fans will find a beach volleyball court, a nohejbal (foot volleyball) court, table football, and ping-pong tables. There are also a few more unusual options, including pétanque and Russian skittles. For quieter entertainment, an 18-hole minigolf course is available, and children have their own sandbox and play structures for climbing.

Is it worth visiting with kids?

The varied depth of the main basin, combined with distinct zones for swimmers and for people simply relaxing, makes the site well suited to a family day out. Children can stay in the shallower, safer section of the main pool and use the slide designed just for them, while older visitors have access to the dedicated swimming pool and diving tower.

Frequently asked questions

When was Tyršova plovárna built? The swimming area opened in 1933, with its official inauguration as Tyršova veřejná plovárna taking place on 30 May 1935.

Who manages the facility today? Since 1996 it has been run by Technické služby Vysoké Mýto, the town's technical services department.

How big is the main pool? The main water area measures 106 by 60 meters, while the separate swimming pool is 50 by 12 meters.

What is available for children? A sandbox, playgrounds, a smaller slide, and a shallower section of the main pool.

Are there sports activities beyond swimming? Yes — beach volleyball, nohejbal, table football, ping-pong, pétanque, Russian skittles, and an 18-hole minigolf course.