Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Germany Berlin Wasserturm Prenzlauer Berg

Wasserturm Prenzlauer Berg

This water-tower-turned-high-end-apartment building was once the site of an early Nazi concentration camp.

Berlin, Germany

Added By
Dusan Milanovic
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Wasserturm Prenzlauer Berg   dusanmil89 / Atlas Obscura User
Wasserturm Prenzlauer Berg   dusanmil89 / Atlas Obscura User
Wasserturm Prenzlauer Berg   dusanmil89 / Atlas Obscura User
  rudimarnitz / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Today, visitors to the historic Berlin buildings that comprise the Wasserturm Prenzlauer Berg will find a ritzy block of gentrified apartments that were once simply housing for the workers of the water tower, but this was formerly the site of one of the first Nazi concentration camps.

Built in 1877, the Prenzlauer Berg tower is the oldest water tower in Berlin. The tall, round building held its water in a tank at the top of the building while below it were apartments where the people working the facility could live. The waterwork was used to supply water to the city until 1952, when it was finally retired from service, having become such a local landmark that it was even incorporated into the city's coat of arms. 

When the Nazis came into power a machining building adjacent to the tower began being used as a concentration camp site where Jews, communists, and any other offending party were brought to be murdered without a trial. However the smaller building was torn down, yet the taint of the atrocity still clings to the tower.

Despite the rather uncomfortable history of the site, the former workers' apartments have been renovated and after a bohemian surge in the 1990s the spaces now command a hefty bit of rent.

Related Tags

Towers Waterworks World War Ii Military

Community Contributors

Added By

dusanmil89

Edited By

Martin, hrnick, TheMarmoset, jounihaukimies...

  • Martin
  • hrnick
  • TheMarmoset
  • jounihaukimies
  • rudimarnitz

Published

February 27, 2015

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasserturm_Prenzlauer_Berg
  • http://www.elephantinberlin.com/2012/12/the-oldiest-watertower-wasserturm.html
  • http://www.prenzlauerberg.de/wasserturm
  • https://www.airbnb.com/locations/berlin/prenzlauer-berg
  • http://vintageberlinguide.com/where-to-go/prenzlauer-berg/
  • http://en.tracesofwar.com/article/21735/Water-Tower-Prenzlauer-Berg.htm
Wasserturm Prenzlauer Berg
Belforter Street
Berlin, 10405
Germany
52.534212, 13.418719
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Judengang

Berlin, Germany

miles away

Schönhauser Allee Cemetery

Berlin, Germany

miles away

Pressecafé Mural

Berlin, Germany

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Berlin

Berlin

Germany

Places 140
Stories 18

Nearby Places

Judengang

Berlin, Germany

miles away

Schönhauser Allee Cemetery

Berlin, Germany

miles away

Pressecafé Mural

Berlin, Germany

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Berlin

Berlin

Germany

Places 140
Stories 18

Related Places

  • Vicenza, Italy

    Torre Bissara

    One of the tallest bell towers in Italy plays a particular melody at just two times each day.

  • An evening view of the second tower.

    Berlin, Germany

    Humboldthain Flak Tower

    These former Nazi anti-aircraft towers offer a singular view of the north of Berlin in the summer, and a sanctuary for bats in winter.

  • WWII Coast Artillery Search Lights at Tower Beach.

    Vancouver, British Columbia

    Point Grey Battery Ruins

    Two graffiti towers stand like ghosts of Vancouver's World War II-era defensive outpost.

  • Zossen, Germany

    Winkel Towers of Zossen

    Several of these strange cone-shaped bunkers can still be seen around the former Nazi headquarters.

  • Pulpit Rock Tower

    Rye, New Hampshire

    Pulpit Rock Tower

    The only one of New Hampshire's original 14 World War II watchtowers to survive in near-original condition.

  • The guard tower.

    Minneapolis, Minnesota

    Thorp Building Navy Guard Towers

    During World War II the Thorp building was guarded by the OSS, FBI, and US Navy because of the top-secret bombsight being produced there.

  • The submarine watchtower in Ormond Beach.

    Ormond Beach, Florida

    Ormond Beach Watchtower

    A replica of one of the more than 15,000 civilian lookout towers that lined the U.S. coast during World War II.

  • The tower.

    Friskney, England

    RAF Wainfleet Control Tower

    The control tower at the historic weapons range is now available as a highly unusual vacation rental.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.