Neukölln Water Tower

The Wasserturm Neukölln stands on the Rollberg hill in Berlin’s Neukölln district. Built in 1893–94 by the Charlottenburger Wasserwerke AG, it was designed by architect Otto Techow to supply drinking water to Rixdorf, now part of Neukölln. The tower is the tallest surviving water tower in Berlin and has been protected as a historic monument since 1999. The tower’s round brick structure rises 40 metres, with walls that taper from 1.82 metres thick at the base to 65 centimetres at the top. At 30 metres, a riveted steel tank holds 2,240 cubic metres of water. Its red brick cladding and decorative arches echo the Juliusturm in Spandau, while the top features a crenellated parapet. During the Second World War the tower and tank were hit three times but repaired after 1945. Visitors find a solid brick cylinder topped by a water tank and parapet. The base is richly detailed with deep segmental arches and string courses. Since 1999 the tower has hosted events and housed part of a company working for the Berlin water utility. The site remains a striking example of 19th-century industrial architecture.