Temelín Information Center (Vysoký Hrádek Chateau)

In the immediate vicinity of the Temelín Nuclear Power Plant, 24 km north of České Budějovice, is the Renaissance chateau of Vysoký Hrádek. However, its historic interiors contain none of what you normally see in chateaux. It houses the Temelín Power Plant Information Center, offering its visitors an attractive journey with nuclear power.

The Temelín Nuclear Power Plant invites everyone for an excursion if they are interested in learning something about the Temelín Power Plant and its operation. For example, you will learn how to control a nuclear reactor, what yellow cake is, and what can be discovered in a cloud chamber. You can also watch the films Trip to the Sun and Utopia Come True. However, we will not disclose in advance what these name refer to.

The second floor of the chateau contains a large exhibition. The first part of the exhibition in the northern wing of the building will show you how nuclear power is related to other disciplines (rooms 1 and 2) More attention is then paid to energy concealed in matter – nuclear energy, principles of releasing it (room 3) and, finally, the whole fuel cycle (room 4). The second part of the exhibition in the southern wing focuses on the Temelín Power Plant and its surroundings (room 5), its functional layout, most important equipment and topics related to the power plant operation (room 6). 3D models will show you the layout plan, the main production unit, a cross-section of the most important equipment, nuclear reactorcomprising the main part of the primary circuit, as well as nuclear fuel, which is split in the reactor. The whole tour is guided by trained staff and at the end of the tour you are given information materials and brochures (room 7).

You can also test your knowledge in a fun quiz, get to know selected areas of the power plant in a virtual tour on a PC or try to control the production unit in a computer simulator.

Those interested in a free tour and individual visitors will find the Information Center open every day (including Saturdays and Sundays) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. in July and August. Individual visitors can enjoy the exhibition tour and the program in the cinema (film, cloud chamber) is only available unless a pre-booked guided group tour is in progress. If you want to make sure the cinema is vacant on your day and hour, please contact the Info Center. Groups of 5 or more people must book in advance. The excursion is free of charge for all visitors .