Water tower in Delft, Water tower and national monument in Delft, Netherlands.
The Water tower in Delft is a brick building with a tapering base and a large water tank mounted on top, which once maintained water pressure across the city. The structure demonstrates the solid engineering needed to provide reliable water supply to residents.
Architect M.A.C. Hartman designed the tower in 1895 in neo-Holland Renaissance style to address the city's water shortage following cholera outbreaks. The project represented a major step forward in improving public health and urban infrastructure in Delft.
The tower now houses a meditation center and works alongside the RADIUS art center, which offers exhibitions and educational programs to visitors. This transformation shows how a historic structure has found new purpose in serving the community.
The tower is open to visitors and functions today as a cultural space with changing programs, so it is worth checking what activities are currently on offer. Visiting on weekends generally provides the best opportunity to see exhibitions and participate in programs.
Before opening the facility, engineers filled the water tank with 600 tons of water to test the structural integrity under real conditions. This rigorous test confirmed the building could safely operate for many years to come.
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