Pause for a moment and consider: What if this serene tower could talk? The Unterer St. Jakobs-Wasserturn stands before us, a stoic monument. It is a testament to Augsburg’s ingenious historical water management. This is a story of water, architecture and survival.
The Unterer St. Jakobs-Wasserturn is also known as the Jakober Wasserturm. It is one of two original water towers in Augsburg’s Jakobervorstadt. Augsburg’s city architect, Elias Holl, built it from 1604 to 1609. These towers were essential. They supplied the Jakobervorstadt and the Fuggerei with precious drinking water. Sadly, the second tower near the Jakobertor was destroyed in 1944 by a bomb.
Look closely at the Unterer St. Jakobs-Wasserturn’s structure. Notice the rectangular base. Above it rises a two-story superstructure. It is adorned with rich architectural details. A copper dome crowns the tower. This dome gleams softly in the sunlight.
Originally, the Unterer St. Jakobs-Wasserturn was part of Augsburg’s city wall. It sits by the Stadtgraben near the Oblatterwall. This is not far from the Augsburger Kahnfahrt. A low annex with a pent roof once housed a vital piece of machinery. A 5.30-meter-high water wheel powered the pumps. The pumps had three pistons, a crankshaft, and a connecting rod. These components worked together. They lifted water into a basin inside the tower’s upper level. This created the water pressure needed for distribution. The roof ridge of the annex marked the city wall’s height.
The Unterer St. Jakobs-Wasserturn and its twin served their purpose until 1879. That was when Augsburg’s water supply system was modernized. Today, the surviving Unterer St. Jakobs-Wasserturn is a protected monument.
Today, a bookstore and an engineering office occupy the Unterer St. Jakobs-Wasserturn. These tenants ensured its renovation. The Unterer St. Jakobs-Wasserturn has been open for viewing since 1999 upon request. The original facade remains in excellent condition. Inside, little reminds us of the tower’s original function. A wooden staircase dominates the interior. The former water tower also hosts exhibitions.
So, as you stand before the Unterer St. Jakobs-Wasserturn, remember its story. It is a story of innovation, destruction and rebirth. The Unterer St. Jakobs-Wasserturn remains a symbol of Augsburg’s rich past.