Neue Wasserkunst

The Neue Wasserkunst is a 30-meter tall structure in Bautzen that once pumped and distributed water throughout the city. The building demonstrates how 17th-century engineers used pumps and pipes to deliver drinking water to homes across the settlement.

This structure was built in 1606 to solve the challenge of supplying water to the medieval city. The construction was later modernized and influenced the design of similar systems in other European towns.

The name refers to the innovative water technology that was considered advanced at the time. Visitors today can observe how this structure became integral to how the city's residents accessed clean water daily.

The building is located at Äußere Lauenstraße 58 and is visible from the outside, with the stonework and windows clearly visible. The site is easy to reach on foot and surrounding streets offer space for observing and photographing.

This building was one of the earliest examples in Central Europe to use pressure and gravity to push water into upper stories. This technical solution was so innovative at the time that other cities later copied the model.

Location: Bautzen

Inception: 1606

Height: 30 m

Address: Äußere Lauenstraße 58

GPS coordinates: 51.17743,14.42256

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:26