Water tower, Ermelo, Ermelo
The Water tower in Ermelo is a brick structure built in 1912 on an artificial hill created specifically for it. Its rectangular base is complemented by a small round tower in one corner, with arched windows and crenellated edges giving it a castle-like appearance.
The tower was built in 1912 on the Oud Groevenbeek estate to supply drinking water for the house and gardens. Around 1900, the estate underwent transformation with new buildings and installations, and the tower became a key part of this modernization.
The tower displays castle-like features that gave the estate a romantic character fitting with the surrounding buildings. This design choice shows how functional structures of the early 1900s could also be made visually appealing and blend naturally into the landscape.
The tower sits on a hill reached by a path with stairs decorated with natural stones. The structure is easily visible from outside and accessible to walk around, with the surrounding grounds of the estate open to explore.
Since 1988, the cellar rooms beneath the tower have been home to bats seeking shelter in the dark spaces. This living presence shows how historic structures can support wildlife over time.
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