Contemplate how the Wasserkunst in Lübeck stands as a testament to the city’s evolving water management. This historical water tower is in the St. Jürgen district. It sits directly on the Wakenitz.
The Wasserkunst wasn’t always as it appears today. Built in 1867, it underwent significant changes in 1890. The upgrade gave it the form we see now. Initially, the need for a new water system arose from cholera epidemics. Dr. Emil Cordes championed the cause.
The original 1867 structure featured brickwork with blind arches over two stories. Inside was a 1,000 m³ flat-bottom tank. A 20-meter-high pipe tower rose above a crenelated parapet. This design allowed water, purified by sand filters, to reach higher elevations.
By 1890, Lübeck needed more water capacity. Many more houses connected to the system. Also, the water pressure was too low to fight fires on the market square. So, the Wasserkunst expanded.
The upgrade included glazed bricks. These formed spiral bands around the tower’s middle. The top got a makeover. It gained many decorative elements based on North German Brick Gothic style. Instead of the old tank, a new Intze-1 tank was installed. It held 2,145 m³ of water and sat 10 meters higher. This new tank rested on an inner foundation.
Before the Wasserkunst, Lübeck got its water from the Trave, the Wakenitz and wells. As the city grew, these sources became inadequate. People built waterworks to lift water from the Wakenitz into elevated tanks. From there, it flowed through wooden pipes into the streets. The largest were the Brauerwasserkunst and the Bürgerwasserkunst. They stood before the Hüxtertor.
The Wasserkunst addressed the quantity issue but not the water quality. Chlorine taste and odor persisted. So, Lübeck drilled for groundwater. The water quality improved after the Kleinensee waterworks opened in 1972. Chlorination stopped. The Klein Disnack waterworks followed in 1981.
Eventually, the Wasserkunst became obsolete. Today, four clean water tanks are on the site. They hold 14,400 m³ of water. At night, they store water from the waterworks. During the day, pumps distribute it into Lübeck’s drinking water network.
The historic water tower stopped being a water storage facility in 2018. In 2022, it was fully decommissioned. Until then, it was Europe’s oldest operating water tower. The Wasserkunst gained landmark status in 1989. It is an architecturally unique example of industrial construction. Its design reflects the neo-Gothic style. It is significant to the cityscape.
The area around the Wasserkunst is now a residential area. Streets such as Alter Wasserturm, Brunnenstube and Zum Wasserspeicher recall the site’s history. This blend of old and new defines the Wasserkunst. It serves as a reminder of Lübeck’s past and its progress.