Pumpwerk Breitensee, building in Vienna, Austria
The Pumpwerk Breitensee is a water pumping station in Vienna's Penzing district that originally served as the first station in the city's water supply system. The red brick building has two levels with large windows and decorative brickwork, while its functional design reflects the industrial architecture of the late 1800s.
The station was built in 1896 and served as the first of its kind in Vienna's water network, pumping water from higher sources into the city. After more than a century of operation, it was decommissioned in the early 2000s when a new reservoir called Steinhof came online.
The station became part of the daily rhythm of Penzing as residents relied on the water it delivered to their homes. The workers and their families formed the backbone of the neighborhood, making water supply a shared concern that shaped community life.
The site is located in a quiet part of Penzing near residential areas and small parks, making it easy to reach and explore. Visitors should walk around the area to appreciate the surroundings and see how the station fits into the neighborhood.
During World War I, the station was briefly used to dry potatoes, and a small railway line was built to bring supplies directly to the complex. This unusual conversion shows how infrastructure was quickly adapted to meet wartime needs.
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