Wieża ciśnień Na Grobli, Water tower in Na Grobli Street, Wrocław, Poland
The Wieża ciśnień Na Grobli is a water tower on Na Grobli Street in Wrocław, standing approximately 40 meters tall with a square base divided into four sections made of brick. Inside, it contained steam engines connected to pumps that pushed water throughout the city's distribution network.
This tower was built in 1871 under architect Carl Johann Christian Zimmermann as part of a major water infrastructure project for the city. The construction marked a turning point for Wrocław, introducing modern technology to supply drinking water reliably to urban residents.
The tower demonstrates how 19th-century engineering shaped city life and reflects pride in industrial progress during that era. Its design shows the blend of German technical expertise applied to Polish urban infrastructure and daily water distribution needs.
The tower is easy to spot along Na Grobli Street and stands out clearly in the city's layout with its distinctive appearance. Access to the interior and its historical machinery is restricted and available only during special events or guided visits.
Inside the tower, original cedar-clad pressure cylinders and control mechanisms survive at about 24 meters high, showing how 19th-century engineers tackled water storage and distribution challenges. These preserved components reveal the practical solutions that kept the city's water flowing.
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