Wasserturm: A Historic Landmark of Wels

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Explore the historic Wasserturm in Wels, a 16th-century water tower featuring Renaissance architecture and a glimpse into the city's past.

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Wasserturm

The Wasserturm (Water Tower) in Wels, Austria, is a historic tower built in 1579 to supply water to the town square and a few houses. Featuring Renaissance architecture and painted coats of arms, it's a notable landmark offering a glimpse into the town's history.

A brief summary to Wasserturm

Minoritengasse 5, Wels, 4600, AT
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Local tips

Visit the Wasserturm at any time of year, as it's suitable for all weather conditions.
Take your time to appreciate the Renaissance architecture and the painted coats of arms on the tower's facade.
Combine your visit with a walk along the old city walls and explore the nearby Polheim Castle.

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Getting There

Walking

The Wasserturm is located at Am Zwinger, a short walk from the Stadtplatz (city square). From the Kaiser-Josef-Platz, walk south towards the Stadtplatz, then continue along the Minoritengasse. The Wasserturm will be on your right, next to the Stadtmuseum. The walk is easy and takes approximately 5-10 minutes.
Public Transport

Wels is well-connected by public transport. From Wels Hauptbahnhof (main train station), take a bus to the Kaiser-Josef-Platz. From there, follow the walking directions to the Wasserturm. A single bus fare within Wels costs approximately €2-3. You can purchase tickets at the Wels Linien Kundenbüro, vending machines at Kaiser-Josef-Platz, on buses, or via the Wels Linien webshop.
Parking

If driving, Wels offers several parking options. There are over 2,000 surface parking spaces and 1,162 parking spaces in parking garages in the city center. The BOE Garage Kaiser Josef Platz is located nearby. Short-term parking is available for €0.50 per half hour. Free parking is available from 12 pm to 1 pm, Saturdays from 12 pm onwards, and all day on Sundays and public holidays.

Discover more about Wasserturm

The Wasserturm, located at Am Zwinger 24 in Wels, is a historical water tower constructed between 1577 and 1579. Built by master mason Wolfgang Khranlachner, it was commissioned by the town chamber office to provide drinking and fire-fighting water. A pumping system inside, installed by Jörg Wagner and Clement Rensch, drew water from the Mühlbach River into a reservoir, which then supplied water to two fountains on the town square and several houses via a pipe system. The tower remained in operation until the early 20th century and has undergone several restorations. The facade is adorned with Renaissance architectural and coat-of-arms paintings by Niclas Linkh, representing the Habsburgs' possessions. While visitors cannot enter the tower, they can admire its exterior and learn about its history. The surrounding Zwinger area now serves as a green space for recreation. According to local legend, the waterwheels inside the tower were operated by prisoners. The Wasserturm stands as a reminder of Wels's past and its innovative solutions for water supply.