Wasserturm, Water tower in Old Town, Lucerne, Switzerland
The Wasserturm is an octagonal stone tower that rises from the Reuss River next to the wooden Chapel Bridge in central Lucerne. The structure stands roughly 34 meters tall and was originally built as a fortified structure serving multiple purposes throughout its existence.
Built in 1300 as part of medieval city fortifications, this tower served across the centuries as a prison, treasury, and archive storage. The structure reflects how Lucerne protected its boundaries and resources during different periods.
The tower represents how medieval Lucerne organized its defenses and controlled river traffic. Walking around it today, you can sense how central this structure was to the city's identity and daily life.
The tower is accessible from outside and offers multiple viewpoints from the riverbank for photographs and observation. Early morning or late afternoon light works best for capturing details of the structure.
The basement originally contained a dungeon accessible only through a hole in the ceiling. Prisoners were kept in complete darkness using this method until the practice ended in the 1800s.
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