Vodárenské múzeum

About the museum

The Vodárenské múzeum was founded in 2007 by the Bratislavská vodárenská spoločnosť. It is located in Karlova Ves, in the building of the first pumping station in Bratislava, built in 1886 on the left bank of the Danube. Together with the well on Sihoť island and the water reservoir by Bratislava Castle, it formed the basis of Bratislava's water supply.

Drinking water came from underground sources on Sihoť and was conveyed through a pipeline about 1.7 km long to the pumping station in Karlova Ves. From there, steam pumps distributed it across the city and to the reservoir by the castle. The Bratislava waterworks was a pressure-gravity system, the first of its kind in Slovakia. The museum building and the historic site on Sihoť are national cultural monuments.

The three-hectare site includes, in addition to the museum, the Vodárenská záhrada (Waterworks Garden), publicly accessible since 2012, and an outdoor exhibition of water supply technology opened in 2019. In 2015 the museum received an honorary recognition from the Ministry of Culture of the SR in the Pamiatka roka competition, and in 2016 the garden was named Park roka (Park of the Year).

Highlights

• Interactive exhibition on the water cycle and the history of Bratislava's waterworks
• Virtual reconstructions of historic structures and original plans of the waterworks
• Underground spaces with fittings from 1912
• Outdoor exhibition of water supply technology and the Waterworks Garden
• Free admission to the exhibition

Permanent exhibitions

• Expozícia Vodárenského múzea – Interactive exhibition on the history and present of water supply in Bratislava: models of historic structures, information panels, virtual reconstructions, short films and the Izba vodára room.
• Vonkajšia expozícia – Outdoor exhibition of water supply technology (opened in 2019) on an area of 1,600 m², with a natural pond, drinking fountains and a small amphitheatre.

Founded

2007

Operated by

Bratislavská vodárenská spoločnosť, a. s.

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the museum exhibition is free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Accessible toilets are available on the south side of the museum building for visitors to the garden.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Playground / play area

The Waterworks Garden has a playground and is suitable for families with children; children under 8 may use the site only accompanied by an adult.

Getting there & parking

The museum entrance is from Devínska cesta in the district of Karlova Ves. The garden lies next to the cycle route towards Devín and beside the Karloveské rameno (Karlova Ves arm of the Danube).

Amenities & dining

The Waterworks Garden on the site has drinking fountains and a bicycle point with a service stand and maps. Wi-Fi is only available in rented premises.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 300 guests.

Main hall, showroom and gallery with an area of 670 m²; the garden cannot be rented, but a wedding ceremony in the garden is possible when the interior is rented. Contact: Zuzana Žáková Rajterová, +421 948 995 230.

Plan your visit