Tajch Large Vodárenská (Veľká Vodárenská)

Photo by Jan Starec/CC BY-SA

Location on map - Tajch Large Vodárenská (Veľká Vodárenská)

Category: Mines and mining works, Tajchs - water reservoirs in Banska Štiavnica

Region: Banská Bystrica Region
District: Banská Štiavnica
City / Municipality: Banská Štiavnica
Tourist location: Hont
Mountains:Štiavnica Mountains (Štiavnické vrchy)
World Heritage: UNESCO Cultural Heritage

Tajchs Large and Small Vodárenská together with Červená Studňa, they are located directly above the medieval heart of the town in the valley above Holy Trinity Square. According to written records they are the eldest reservoirs in the Štiavnica Mountains, their origin reaching back to 1500. Although the name (Vodárenská – related to water station) might suggest they used to be the sources of drinking water, they were also used for driving water pumps and stamp mills in their early years.

The Large Vodárenská Tajch is the only reservoir whose dam broke – in the early morning of 22nd January 1633. The water rushed down to the town underneath, resulting into collapse of three houses, destruction of many more buildings and deaths of five people. The dam was repaired in the same year. However, it broke again in 1725, once more causing massive damage. In the 18th century it served solely as a source of drinking and fire fighting water. Fires were both more frequent and extensive in those times.

The Large Vodárenská Tajch is well-known thanks to the unique turquoise colour of its waters. Some believe it is because of the content of copper sulphates which are allegedly releasing from the old mine dumps. However, such an amount would be toxic considering fish living in the lake. Others claim that bathing in the water has beneficial effects. Fine grains of clay in the water are more probably responsible for the breathtaking colour of the water.

Vodárenská is the locals’ favourite place to cool down on a hot summer day, a place for walks in spring and autumn as well as romantic ice skating in winter, sometimes even in candlelight. There is also a bonfire spot at the lake.

Source: www.banskastiavnica.travel