Eupen Water Tower | Eupen

Information

Landmark: Eupen Water Tower
City: Eupen
Country: Belgium
Continent: Europe

Eupen Water Tower, Eupen, Belgium, Europe

The Eupen Water Tower (Wasserturm Eupen) is a decommissioned industrial utility structure located on the Schönefelderweg on the eastern plateau of Eupen, Belgium. Originally part of the city's municipal water distribution infrastructure, the tower serves as a prominent vertical landmark in the upper town.

Visual Characteristics

The tower is a cylindrical masonry structure constructed of red brick and reinforced concrete, typical of early 20th-century German industrial design. It features a flared upper section that previously housed the steel water reservoir, supported by a series of vertical brick pilasters. The facade is punctuated by narrow rectangular windows and capped with a shallow conical roof, while the base is reinforced with a stone plinth.

Location & Access Logistics

The structure is located at the intersection of Schönefelderweg and Hostert, approximately 1.5km east of the Eupen city center (Rathausplatz).

By Car: Accessible via the N67 (Monschauer Straße); street parking is available in the surrounding residential neighborhood.

Public Transport: TEC Bus Line 725 or 14 stops at "Eupen Schönefelderweg," 200 meters from the site.

Access: The interior is generally closed to the general public, but the exterior is fully visible from the public sidewalk.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The tower was constructed in 1908 during the period when Eupen was part of the German Empire (Kreis Eupen). It was designed to provide the necessary hydraulic pressure for the growing residential districts and textile factories in the upper town. The structure remained operational throughout most of the 20th century before being superseded by modern pumping systems linked to the Weser Dam reservoir.

Key Highlights & Activities

The site is a primary stop for architectural photography and industrial heritage walking tours. Visitors can examine the transition between the historical brickwork and the functional concrete elements of the upper tank housing. The elevated position of the tower provides a vantage point for viewing the nearby Vesdre valley and the foothills of the High Fens from the surrounding street level.

Infrastructure & Amenities

There are no public restrooms, visitor centers, or indoor facilities at the tower itself. Public amenities and food vendors are concentrated 1km west in the city center or 2km east at the Weser Dam visitor complex. 5G cellular signal is strong and consistent throughout the area. The site is located in a quiet residential zone with paved sidewalks.

Best Time to Visit

Optimal lighting for photography occurs in the late afternoon when the sun illuminates the western brick facade. During the autumn months (October and November), the surrounding deciduous trees provide a high-contrast background for the red masonry. The site is accessible 24 hours a day for exterior viewing.

Facts & Legends

The tower is one of the few remaining examples of pre-WWI German hydraulic engineering in the East Cantons. Local residents historically referred to the tower as a gauge for the city's prosperity; during the peak of the textile industry, the water levels in the tower were a critical factor in the daily operation of the wool-washing mills located in the lower town.