Watertower, Dordrecht, Dordrecht
The Watertower in Dordrecht is a tall brick building with four small towers around it that resembles a castle, featuring round windows throughout its structure. It now operates as a hotel with restaurant facilities, preserving its strong masonry while repurposing the interior as guest accommodations within a garden setting.
The tower was built in the early 1880s to supply clean water to Dordrecht and started operation in 1882 with a large internal tank. High river levels made construction challenging, forcing workers to adapt to difficult conditions on the building site.
The tower stands as a recognizable brick landmark in the cityscape, designed in a fortress-like style that reflects 19th-century engineering ambitions. It has become a cultural crossroads where historical water infrastructure meets contemporary hospitality and dining.
The hotel provides free on-site parking for drivers, though the elevator does not reach every floor, requiring some guests to use stairs. The location is easily accessible by foot or bicycle to Dordrecht's historic center and Biesbosch National Park, with bike rentals available on the property.
The designer Van der Kloes, who created the tower, later became a respected instructor at a prestigious technical school, helping establish it as a recognizable landmark. The fortress-like appearance with its four corner towers creates an unusual silhouette that sets it apart from typical water infrastructure of the era.
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