Wasserturm am Obersee

Perched atop Lindwerderberg, the highest natural point in Alt-Hohenschönhausen, stands the Wasserturm am Obersee. It’s a silent giant, watching over the tranquil Obersee. This isn’t just any water tower. It’s a storybook character, its pages filled with tales of a bygone era. The Wasserturm am Obersee was born in 1900. It was a symbol of progress, built to serve the Löwenbrauerei AG brewery and later the villas surrounding the Obersee and Orankesee. Designed by the renowned engineer Otto Intze, its iron water tank perched proudly atop a sturdy brick shaft. This design was so popular that an estimated 500 similar water towers dotted the German Reich. The firm of Merten & Knauff brought Intze’s vision to life here at the Wasserturm am Obersee. The tower’s story took a turn when Greater Berlin absorbed Alt-Hohenschönhausen. Connected to Lichtenberg’s water supply, the Wasserturm am Obersee and its accompanying waterworks were decommissioned in 1922. Some even called for its demolition, claiming the tank marred the landscape. In 1933, the tank was dismantled and scrapped. The Wasserturm am Obersee wasn’t forgotten during wartime. It served as a flak position, a stark reminder of the conflict engulfing the world. After the war, during the DDR era, the tower found new purpose as a radio station for the Gesellschaft für Sport und Technik. The Wasserturm am Obersee stood empty after German reunification. Its future uncertain, it waited patiently for a new chapter. In 2004, a new owner breathed life back into the old tower. Today, the Wasserturm am Obersee is a unique blend of old and new. A bar occupies the lower floors, its green illuminated ring a beacon in the night, signaling its welcome. Above, a private residence offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area. The tower, even without its original tank, still holds a special place in the hearts of locals. It’s a landmark, a silent storyteller, and a testament to the enduring spirit of Berlin.