A Skyline to remember
When you imagine the skyline of a city the towers are always the most outstanding structures. So it isn’t a suprise that the towers of many churches and the famous city tower of Straubing characterize the skyline of our city as well. But one of these large building is special. One of them is nearly completely hollow and empty, only the larger top part of the structure is filled with an enormous steel water tank. It is the 63m tall water tower of Straubing, which was built in 1922.
Stairs And Stairs Again
The Indian students hesitated a little, when they saw the many steps they have to climb to reach the upper part of the so called “Wasserturm”. Slowly, step by step they managed the 5 levels and finally reached a room, which was stuffed with pipes, levers and weels to regulate the water flow. Theo room’s ceiling was also the bottom of a 900 m³ large water tank which was filled with drinking water of best quality. A small spiral staircase in the middle of the tank was the only connection to the top of the tank. But because of safety reasons the group was not allowed to enter that staircase.
What a view
The students looked at each other, unsure what to do now. Suddenly one of our guides opened a hidden trap door and our Indian guests climbed a steep ladder up to a wooden walkway around the tank’s outer hull. What a view! Big windows allowed a spectecular sight. You could see the hills of the Bavarian Forest, the Danube, the City Center and many more places of interest.
Nobody had to tell the students to click photos. Armed with their cell phones they circuited the tank shot hundreds of selfies and pictures of Straubing.
Climbing down the ladder and the stairs again was an adventure itsself. But finally all the participants of the exchange stood at ground level again. Ready to move on and to visit the places they saw minutes ago.
Thank you
We want to thank the great people of Stadtwerke Straubing who gave consent to that field trip. Thank you for showing us this astonishing monument and for guiding us up and down the watertower!