Vodní dům, Educational water center in Hulice, Czech Republic

Vodní dům is an educational facility in Hulice that focuses on water management, aquatic ecosystems, and sustainable practices through hands-on displays. Visitors encounter exhibits about how water shapes landscapes and how people depend on careful stewardship of water resources.

The Vodní dům was built after the Czech Union for Nature Conservation Vlašim announced an architectural competition in 2009, won by the AND studio. The foundation stone, from the Bernatice quarry, was laid on 21 October 2014, and the centre opened on 19 March 2016, funded by the European Environment Fund.

The lecture hall displays original wall paintings rescued from the Church of St. John the Baptist in Dolní Kralovice before its demolition, when the Želivka valley was flooded for the Švihov reservoir. The paintings are among the few surviving artworks from that vanished village.

The facility welcomes visitors year-round and offers guided tours, educational programs, and workshops tailored for schools and families. Before visiting, it is worth checking what activities or demonstrations are scheduled so you can plan your time accordingly.

In the courtyard, children can operate mechanical systems that control water features and artificial waterfalls while learning hydraulic principles. This hands-on experience makes physics tangible and demonstrates how flowing water can be directed and managed.