High above us looms the Wasserturm G\u00f6rlitz Sattigstra\u00dfe. It stands as a proud landmark in the S\u00fcdstadt. Residents have recently wondered about the activity around this old tower. Why were trees being cleared? What was the purpose of the machinery?
The Wasserturm G\u00f6rlitz Sattigstra\u00dfe is not coming down. It is here to stay. The railway spokesman, J\u00f6rg B\u00f6nisch, confirmed this. Some smaller buildings around it will be removed. These include a transformer station and a small metal garage.
The entire G\u00f6rlitz railway station area is historically protected. This includes the buildings planned for demolition. A thorough process is therefore necessary. First, the trees and shrubs had to go. This allowed a proper historical assessment. A building historian will document the structures through photos and drawings. This documentation goes to the city’s heritage authority. Plans for demolition will then be submitted to the Railway Federal Office. Approval is uncertain. Actual demolition work is not expected to start this year.
The Sattigstra\u00dfe itself is named after Hugo Sattig. He was the city’s mayor from 1858 to 1866. The street is mainly for through traffic. It has few industries or institutions. The Berufsschulzentrum and the railway station complex are nearby.
Water towers became popular in the late 19th century. Across Germany, they supplied fresh drinking water. This was especially needed as people moved from the countryside to cities. G\u00f6rlitz built its own water tower in 1891. It stands about 30 meters tall. The Wasserturm G\u00f6rlitz Sattigstra\u00dfe has four levels. Offices once occupied the ground floor and the first two stories. These are currently unused. The riveted steel tank sits on the third floor. It can hold 4,000 cubic meters of water.
The location chosen was Pomologische Gartenstra\u00dfe 14. Water is pumped from the G\u00f6rlitz waterworks. A pumping station sends it to a drinking water reservoir. From there it goes to the Wasserturm G\u00f6rlitz Sattigstra\u00dfe, which acts as a counter-reservoir.
The purpose of the water tower is to maintain adequate pressure. The Wasserturm G\u00f6rlitz Sattigstra\u00dfe is still in operation today.
The tower, once illuminated at night, is one of four in G\u00f6rlitz. After its roof was renovated, the richly decorated facade cleaned in 1997.
The Wasserturm G\u00f6rlitz Sattigstra\u00dfe remains a vital part of the city. It stands as a testament to G\u00f6rlitz’s history.