If there is a country of tourist contrast, it is the Czech Republic. In addition to places full of spectacles and impressions, numerous ski and other resorts, you can find special places in the Czech Republic. One such place is a picturesque reservoir called the Kingdom's Forest. Although in wider circles, the reservoir is known under a different name - Teshnovskaya Dam.
Kingdom Forest
The reservoir is located in one of the most picturesque parts of the Czech Republic, where only occasionally you can meet a few visitors. But this does not detract from the beauty of the local landscapes. Perhaps, just a few tourists know about this unusual place and they, in most cases, prefer to spend a weekend in the mountains or in the circle of a noisy company with a glass of excellent Czech beer. And in vain, because the impressions that this unique building will reward with will be more than enough for several years to come.
The Teshnov Dam is located on the Labe River and is not at all like other reservoirs. It's all about the unusual structure and original architectural solutions that appear before the eyes of even a layman who is not sophisticated in perfection. When it comes to dams and reservoirs, for some reason a dull picture appears with gray massive concrete columns, the only decoration of which are bright algae and numerous snails.
In our case, everything is far from gloomy. The reservoir is not in vain considered one of the local attractions, which, through its centuries-old history, brings to each of the visitors the depth of thought of the then architects.
The first thing that catches the eye and amazes is the size of the dam. Even in this seemingly inconspicuous and strict building in its functional purpose, local architects were able to combine practicality and aesthetics. Due to its special location and simply phenomenal appearance, it gives a deceptive impression that you are driving up to one of the medieval castles, for which the countries of central and western Europe are so rich. It is like a piece of the Middle Ages that modern megacities and nanotechnology have forgotten to erase from the map.
Pointed turrets that frame the roof of red tiles, as well as the strict features of huge columns of stone, which, like an “atlas on their shoulders”, hold the entire mass of the dam - all this brings fantasies about the distant times of the Teutonic Knights.
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It seems that towards the moving cars, jingling with rusty chains, the suspended gates are about to fall, and you will find yourself in the ancient kingdom of the mysterious Middle Ages. Here you can easily shoot plots for films about that time, about the exploits of fearless knights and about beautiful ladies of the heart who patiently wait for their heroes in high towers.
Many are inspired by the sight of the stonework with massive columns and peaked roofs. Angularity does not spoil the impression at all, but acts as a kind of addition to this marvelous area, which closely follows the waters of the Labe flowing below. The whole secret of the dam and its true purpose is revealed by the road that meanders through the moat and the wires of the power lines.
History
For those who do not know the history of the creation of the dam, its scale and location may surprise you. It is unlikely that today her role is so important. But in 1897, local residents had a different opinion. Indeed, it was in this year that a large-scale flood occurred, which left behind serious consequences for two nearby cities at once.
The project of the future masterpiece of technical thought was drawn up by engineer Joseph Pliska, about which few had heard by that time. Since 1903, grandiose preparatory work was carried out, and soon the first stone marked the beginning of a great project.
Sandstone, which was mined nearby, was used as the main building material. As a result, the masonry turned out to be, so to speak, "brutal", which creates the impression of a truly mighty structure that can cope with almost any whims of the natural elements.
Construction continued until 1920 with a short break during the First World War. Three years later, in addition to the construction, a hydroelectric power station was erected. The dam, which appears before the eyes of modern tourists, has undergone many changes. The main thing concerned the work on strengthening the walls, which began to crack under the influence of climate and water. The last renovation work took place in 1959.
The Teshnovskaya Dam was recognized as one of the most ambitious hydraulic structures in Czechoslovakia. Its height reaches 41 meters, its total length is more than 220 meters, and the thickness in different places reaches from 7 to 37 meters! It is an oval reservoir with a water depth of 28 meters. This form of the dam was not chosen by chance and was aimed at distributing the load and water pressure on its walls as efficiently as possible.
Description
From the first glance at the dam, it becomes obvious how much work has been invested in its construction. And do you know what else causes a feeling of delight? There is not a single superfluous detail here, everything is in its place and is in complete interconnection. As you can see, even such purely industrial facilities for technical purposes can be made with taste.
According to local ecologists, the water in the reservoir is potable and distinguished by its purity. Numerous onlookers and tourists can observe a lot of fish in the clear waters. Therefore, for those who like fishing, there is an opportunity to purchase a ticket and enjoy the wonderful bite of the local fish fauna. But those who like to plunge into the cold water during the hot summer months will have to look for another place to swim. This is prohibited in the waters here.
The dam also has international recognition. So, since 2010, it has been included in the list of cultural heritage sites. If you have the opportunity to visit the Czech Republic, take the time to travel to the Tesnovsk Dam. Appreciate the beauty of these places with your own eyes, breathe in plenty of the purest air, which gives off the astringency of the surrounding emerald forests. Touch your hands to the century-old masonry, feel all the energy of this place.
It seems that in the near future everyone will learn about such picturesque corners of our planet, and the crowds of tourists visiting the Czech Republic will include a visit to the Kingdom's Forest in the mandatory excursion program.
