When the ice melts on the surface. Pre-spring on the banks of the Luhačovice dam

"I'm amazed at how old the dam is, it looks very good, I guess they take care of it properly," says a middle-aged man from the Ostrava region, who doesn't mind even a little rain, at the signboard of the Luhačovice Dam educational trail.

Indeed, this waterworks, actually forced during the reign of Emperor Franz Joseph I after disastrous floods, was built intermittently from 1913 until the First Republic, and the dam was not filled until 1930.

"It's still interesting here, in all seasons, and now it must be wonderful to watch pairs of mallards trying it out on the remnants of the ice as if they were landing pads," Mr. Petr says in no hurry.

The signs on the shore also refer to Pozlovice's partnership with the spa pearl of our neighbors, Rajecké Teplice.

"We have been here many times to meet friends, of course we know that the Luhačovice dam is on the land of Pozlovice, it's a bit of a nut for a tourist from Slovakia, but of course we respect that. But we, unlike many less knowledgeable people, know these details. And every time we are in your beautiful region, we go round the dam in a circle, it is some three kilometres and we always feel the right atmosphere here, just like down in Luhačovice, which has always been a symbol of meeting and friendship of our two nations," says Peter Dobeš, the long-time mayor of Rajecké Teplice.

The dam is a true symbol of recreation. Relaxation and good mood. Even if it doesn't look like it right now.

"There's no bad weather, just bad clothes," paraphrases an old British saying to a young mother who is heading here now. And to document it, she shows how expertly she has covered her stroller with a waterproof fabric, sort of like a raincoat.

The refreshment stops around the reservoir are interesting, too. Two stands on the shore remember the old days and remind us of the times when the big and the small used to come here to swim by the thousands.

"Sometime soon after 1960, visiting and swimming in the Luhačovice Reservoir was the highlight of our holiday fun as children from Slovácko, I remember the beautiful surroundings and the way it was already lively back then. Thanks to the dam, Luhačovice is still something to be envied," Věra recalls her childhood.

Luhačovice reservoir is, among other things, a popular place for fishermen. They are not to be seen here now, but their golden days are coming too...

And one more nice sight. The area around the disused, dilapidated building below the dam is alive with construction activity. So hopefully the area will improve a bit again, it's needed, the road down from the dam is far from lined with perfection. As it should be here.

Categories: What to do in Luhačovice, Why to Luhačovice, Luhačovice, Spring, Luhačovice dam, Winter