A colossal structure of blue-grey stone greets you. This is the Hanover Wasserturm. Its imposing presence speaks of a bygone era.
The Hanover Wasserturm stands tall a former water tower. It was completed in 1911. At the time it was considered the largest water tower in Europe. This magnificent landmark is located in the Brink-Hafen district. Its design echoes a medieval fortress. The stone came from quarries near Ochsenfurt am Main.
Construction began in 1909 following an architectural competition. Only Hanoverian architects were allowed to enter. The winning design was a “Heideturm” by Hermann Schaedtler. It was chosen for its technical superiority and lower cost. The original winning design was far too expensive.
The project faced challenges. A labor dispute in 1910 halted construction for a time. The iron water container’s delayed delivery caused further issues. Despite these setbacks the waterworks opened in early summer 1911. The Wasserturm followed shortly after.
The Wasserturm’s interior is fascinating. The main feature is a huge water chamber. It was made of riveted steel plates. It held 4100 cubic meters of water. This chamber rested on over 140 cast steel supports. These supports sat atop a concrete cylinder. The cylinder’s foundation consisted of 132 concrete piles each capable of bearing nearly 48000 kg.
The water tower served its purpose until 1930. A new waterworks with higher pressure made it obsolete. The water inlet was extended to handle pressure fluctuations. During World War II a bomb damaged the roof and chamber. The water gushed out. Post-war repairs were temporary. It became a standpipe for the Elze water line. A major renovation occurred in the mid-1950s.
The Wasserturm was permanently decommissioned in 1963. After years of disuse it was sold in 2009. A new owner the Wasserturm Event GmbH created a cultural and event center. The historical structure and industrial character were preserved. Guided tours were available. It hosted various events until 2017 when the company liquidated. Today the MOIA ride-sharing company uses the Wasserturm grounds.