Behold the Wasserturm Hamburg-Bergedorf a relic of Bergedorf’s past. This striking tower stands proudly albeit partially hidden by the Luisen-Gymnasium.
Built in 1903 by the Bergedorf city architect Carl Friedrich Dusi the Wasserturm is a fine example of Historismus architecture. Its red brick shaft tapers elegantly towards the top. A neoclassical entrance portal with rustic decoration dominates the ground floor. The Bergedorf coat of arms is proudly displayed in the gable. The two floors above are visually separated by a brick frieze. Another frieze of brick consoles with plastered panels sits beneath the water tank area.
The tower head projects significantly. Unlike the shaft it’s made of white painted concrete. A ring of narrow windows provides light. Stucco-like elements create arches above the windows enhanced by decorative forms. The slightly dome-shaped roof is covered in slate. It ends with a viewing gallery enclosed by a wrought-iron railing. A lantern allows access to the gallery.
Inside a staircase runs along the outer wall of the shaft to the drip tray. Above in the tower head is the original Intze-1 tank. It once held 230 cubic meters of water. An inner cylinder in the center of the tank contains a spiral staircase. This allowed access to the viewing gallery.
Before the First World War this gallery was no longer publicly accessible. The tower served a crucial purpose. It ensured sufficient water pressure for the growing town. Before its construction a large water reservoir on the Pfingstberg supplied water. But this reservoir was only sufficient for areas at lower altitudes.
The Wasserturm became redundant in 1973 when modern pump technology made it obsolete. It was decommissioned along with a neighboring water tower. In the 1990s the original reservoir was demolished to expand the nearby school. Today a private owner converted the Wasserturm into a residential building. This was done while respecting its heritage status acquired in 1986. The water tank remains. The inner cylinder now contains doors creating two semi-circular rooms. The tower head however needed complete reconstruction. The Wasserturm Hamburg-Bergedorf stands as a testament to Bergedorf’s history a blend of functionality and architectural charm. Its story is a reminder of the town’s evolution and its unique heritage.