Alkmaarse Watertoren, Water tower and municipal monument in Alkmaar, Netherlands.
The Alkmaarse Watertoren is a tower roughly 31 meters tall that once stored water for the city's supply system. Today it houses office spaces for engineering firms and professional services, no longer serving its original purpose.
The structure was built in 1900 with architectural details inspired by the city's coat of arms. Its role in storing water was essential to how the city developed modern infrastructure to serve its growing population.
The tower shows how the city once valued engineering and practical solutions to everyday needs like water supply. Its form reflects the straightforward approach locals took to building infrastructure that served everyone.
You can visit the interior during special heritage open days when the building welcomes the public. Check ahead to learn when these events occur, as regular access is limited outside these occasions.
During the harsh winter of 1947, residents left their taps running to prevent pipes from freezing, which caused the tower to empty completely. This event reveals how infrastructure and daily life were deeply connected in times of scarcity.
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