Lanstroper Ei, Industrial water tower in Dortmund, Germany
Lanstroper Ei is a steel-framed water tower standing in the Lanstrop district of Dortmund. The tank it carries is rounded at both the top and the bottom, giving the whole structure the egg-like outline that defines it.
The tower was built in 1904 and 1905 to supply water to surrounding districts at a time when the Ruhr area was growing rapidly with industry. It remained in use until 1980, when it was taken out of service and later listed as a protected monument.
The nickname "Ei" (egg) comes directly from the shape of the reservoir, which narrows at both ends like an oversized egg balanced on a steel frame. Locals use the name casually, and it has become the standard way to refer to the tower in everyday conversation.
The tower is visible from a distance and sits close to a highway, making it easy to spot when coming from nearby cycling or walking paths. There is no interior access, so the visit consists of viewing it from the outside.
The cylindrical tank with two rounded ends is a shape that has almost vanished from the region, making this one of the last surviving examples of that construction method. The form was a practical answer to the pressure requirements of industrial water supply systems of that era.
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