Why does this Wasserturm rise so prominently against the Frankfurt skyline? It is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a testament to Frankfurt’s ingenuity. It is also a symbol of its ever-evolving spirit.
The Wasserturm before you, was erected between 1873 and 1874. Friedrich Schmetzer planned this tower. He was the director of the municipal waterworks. The construction set the city back 108.300 Mark.
Originally, the ground floor held a small heating boiler room. It also had a vestibule and a staircase. The first and second floors were apartments. Imagine living here. You would be high above the city.
The iron tank inside held 400 cubic meters of water. That is a lot of water. An observation deck was built into the roof. It offered panoramic views.
However, the Wasserturm’s story does not end with water. Fast forward to 1970. Physics teacher Willi Geiseler had a vision. He wanted to transform the Wasserturm. The water tank was removed. A planetarium was installed.
A ZKP 1 small planetarium from Carl Zeiss Jena found its new home here. From 1978, it served as an astronomy classroom. The Pestalozzi School, now the Heinrich von Kleist High School, set up a photo lab right under the planetarium.
Consider the students who gazed at the stars within these walls. They developed photos in the basement. The Wasserturm became a unique blend of science and learning.
Even today, you can visit the planetarium. You can also access the observation deck.
So, the Wasserturm stands as a symbol of Frankfurt’s ability to adapt. It is a blend of industry and education. It invites us to reflect on the past and future. The tower inspires us to reach for the stars.