Wasserturm Essen-Steele, Water tower in Steele district, Germany
Wasserturm Essen-Steele is a three-story brick building with a prominent steel water tank positioned at the top. Today it houses commercial tenants on the lower levels while retaining original structural features in the upper sections.
The tower was built in 1898 to serve the growing population connected to the steel industry. It operated continuously until 1984, providing water to multiple districts in the region.
The structure represents industrial engineering from the late 19th century and forms part of the Industrial Heritage Trail of North Rhine-Westphalia.
The site is easily accessible on foot from surrounding streets and visible from multiple vantage points in the area. Keep in mind that upper levels are not open to the public since the tower now serves as commercial space.
The structure sits at the highest geographical point in Steele, which allowed water to flow to neighboring districts through gravity alone. This natural advantage meant pumping systems were unnecessary and made the supply network highly efficient.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.