The tower built for the needs of a modern waterworks system in Olsztyn. It was erected in the highest point of the pre-war Olsztyn and it provided water to the upper parts of the city. Currently it houses an astronomical observatory connected with a planetarium.

 

History

Until the end of the 19th century Olsztyn had only a very basic system, providing water in a few wells in the town. A decision to build a waterworks system was taken by the mayor Oscar Belian. The waterworks systems was designed by Oscar Smreker from Mannheim, the sewage system was made by Merten & Comp. from Berlin. On behalf of the city council the plan was approved by Robert Luckhardt. The construction works were conducted between 1897 and 1899. The most important above-ground structures were: a pumping station at the Ukiel Lake and a water tower on St. Andrew Hill rising 143 m. above sea level. After World War II the observatory was located in the tower. Its opening took place on 13 October 1979. During the day you can see there the city panorama and the sunspots through a telescope. In the cloudless evenings there are sky showings with a telescope organized. In the observatory there is also an exhibition of meteorites and a laboratory of Time service. The tower underwent a thorough renovation in 2007.

 

Architectural description

Neo – Romanesque, cylindrical, brick tower, which is non-plastered. The entrance portal on the ground floor is based on a semicircular arch. Above, at half of its height, the tower main part is divided horizontally with a double cornice. It is decorated with pilasters connected with one another by means of semicircular arcades, thus creating blind windows between them. In blind windows there are smaller windows situated alternatingly (top – bottom), partly bricked up and plastered. An upper part of the tower is slightly wider, separated from its main part with an arcade frieze and crowned with crenellations. On the top there is an observatory building with an observatory dome.

 

Interesting facts

- the collection of the observatory includes the Moon soil samples and a Polish flag, which was on the Moon. They come from a manned spaceflight of Apollo 11 in 1969, during which Neil Armstrong became the first Man to set foot on the surface of the Moon.

 

Practical info

- opening hours: Monday to Saturday; between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. – viewpoint of the city panorama; Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings - sky showings; between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. (depending on a season).- admission 8 or 6 PLN- parking lot for coaches at the Urania Hall - 300 m. away- free toilet in the observatory building- sightseeing time- 60 min.

 

www.planetarium.olsztyn.pl