Vodní dům

Vodní dům (Water House) is a modern visitor and education centre in Hulice, a small village in Central Bohemia, standing right by the Švihov dam on the Želivka River. The centre turns the theme of water — its importance for nature and people alike — into an interactive exhibition suitable for the whole family.

How to get there?

Hulice sits in the Benešov district, between the villages of Hulice and Nesměřice, next to the Švihov reservoir on the Želivka, one of the most important sources of drinking water for Prague. Vodní dům is easiest to reach by car; the surrounding area is a scenic corner of Central Bohemia popular with visitors who enjoy combining nature with outdoor activity. Hiking and cycling trails run nearby along the reservoir's shores, making it easy to pair a visit with a walk or bike ride.

What will you see?

The heart of the centre is an exhibition exploring different aspects of water as a resource worth protecting. Visitors can explore the "water microworld," where enlarged models and microscopes reveal aquatic organisms invisible to the naked eye, accompanied by close-up macro photography of their details. A separate section, the "underwater macroworld," presents aquatic plants and animals in several fish tanks, complete with the sound of flowing water and views into an observation tank showing life beneath the surface.

Another section, called the "Endless Path of Water," follows the journey of drinking water through nature — from its source, through treatment, and back into the environment. There's a historical layer too: the building displays original 14th-century wall paintings from the era of Charles IV, rescued from a demolished church in Dolní Kralovice that was flooded during the construction of the Švihov reservoir.

Outside, in the atrium of Vodní dům, interactive water features await visitors of all ages, and are a particular hit with children. For those wanting a closer look at the Švihov dam itself, Vodní dům offers guided tours along the top of the dam, and in summer, two-hour educational boat trips along the Želivka, giving visitors a chance to learn more about the river's ecosystem.

When to visit?

Vodní dům is open year-round, Tuesday through Sunday, though most of its extra attractions — including the boat trips and guided dam tours — run during the summer season, from April to October. In summer the centre is open from 9:00 to 17:00, while in winter (November to March) hours are slightly shorter, from 9:00 to 16:00. Note that during the winter months (December to February) access to the top of the dam is often closed for operational reasons, so anyone planning a trip specifically for the dam tour should aim for spring or summer instead.

Frequently asked questions

What is Vodní dům in Hulice? It's a modern education and exhibition centre dedicated to the theme of water, located by the Švihov reservoir on the Želivka River, one of the most important sources of drinking water in the Czech Republic.

What can you see inside the exhibition? Displays on aquatic microorganisms, fish tanks with water plants and animals, a section on the drinking water cycle, and historic 14th-century wall paintings rescued from a church flooded by the reservoir.

Can you visit the Švihov dam itself? Yes, Vodní dům arranges guided tours along the top of the dam, though these are usually unavailable during the winter months (December to February).

What are the opening hours and ticket prices? In summer (April–October) the centre is open from 9:00 to 17:00, and in winter from 9:00 to 16:00, Tuesday to Sunday. A standard ticket costs 120 CZK, a reduced ticket (children, students, seniors) 80 CZK, and a family ticket (2 adults + 2 children) 300 CZK.