Water flows uphill here. That may sound crazy, but that is how the Wasserschloss Hackenberg works. It ensures fresh water for Vienna. Today, we’re standing before what many consider Vienna’s most beautiful water reservoir. It is the Wasserschloss Hackenberg.
This isn’t just any water tank. The Wasserschloss Hackenberg is a testament to Vienna’s innovative water management. Built during the creation of the Second Vienna Mountain Spring Pipeline, its construction spanned from 1908 to 1910. The reservoir sits atop the Hackenberg, about 295 meters above sea level.
To get building materials up here, a special double-track inclined elevator was built on Krottenbachstrasse. It moved at 0.5 meters per second. It overcame a 61-meter height difference. A 10-horsepower locomobile powered it. This also drove a 3-horsepower dynamo. It supplied power to a pump. The pump brought water needed for construction up the mountain. Even within the construction site, small railway tracks were laid. Horses or manpower moved the goods along these tracks.
Eduard Bodenseher senior from the Vienna City Building Authority designed the valve chamber. This is the visible part of the water reservoir. The Rella & Co construction company, led by architect Rudolf Nemetschke, planned and built the covered reservoir section. It was a double-chamber reservoir. It used rammed concrete construction with 14 x 8 bays. The valve chamber building has bossed granite blocks. It showcases a neo-Romanesque-secessionist style.
Imagine the finished structure. There is a shallow rectangular pool. A stone balustrade surrounds it on three sides. A three-arched arcade leads to the valve chamber. The flat roof of the chamber serves as a terrace. A four-sided belvedere sits in the middle of the front edge. It features beveled corners and a flat stone dome. Segmental arches define the openings with central posts. A pergola on stone pillars borders the observation terrace.
The Second Kaiser Franz Joseph Mountain Spring Pipeline opened on October 2, 1910. Kaiser Franz Joseph I was at the Vienna City Hall ceremony. Yet, the Illustrierte Kronen-Zeitung’s title page on December 3 featured the Hackenberg reservoir.
The Wasserschloss Hackenberg holds about 11,600 cubic meters of water. This architectural gem isn’t just functional. It is a popular destination. People often use it as a starting point for walks. One popular path leads to the Sisi Chapel on the Himmel or the Bellevuewiese. The Bellevuewiese gives a great view of the city.
Interestingly, the basin in front of the Wasserschloss Hackenberg was empty for a time. The reason was not saving money. The basin had become leaky.
The Wasserschloss Hackenberg remains a unique structure. It is an excursion destination and photo hotspot. It stands as a landmark. It embodies Vienna’s blend of functionality and architectural beauty. A visit here provides more than just scenic views. It connects you to the city’s history. It highlights the ingenuity behind its essential water supply. The Wasserschloss Hackenberg is a protected monument. It has maintained its appearance since its construction. It quietly fulfills its duty of providing fresh water to the city of Vienna.