Svaneke Watertower

As you enter Svaneke from the north, you will see the modern three-legged water tower.

Svaneke Water Tower was designed by Jørn Utzon in 1952. It is no longer used as a water tower and became a listed building in 1990.

Inspired by old navigation beacons

The water tower in Svaneke takes its inspiration from old navigation markers, known as beacons, which ships used to find their way. From the late 16th century, these beacons stood along the west coast of Jutland, on the Kattegat islands and in the Swedish archipelago, among other places. They were placed where there were no other recognizable landmarks, such as church towers, to help sailors and fishermen determine their position and the correct course.

The design of Svaneke Water Tower

The pyramid-shaped water tank is supported by three slender reinforced-concrete legs cast on site. The board formwork follows the direction of the legs up to the tip of the water tower. The staircase, also made of concrete, curves elegantly down from the bottom of the water tank.

(The pictures below are from Byforeningen Svanekes Venner)

Svaneke Water Tower on a tower coin

On August 2, 2004, Danmarks Nationalbank issued the fifth tower coin. The coin features a depiction of Svaneke Water Tower by sculptor and professor Morten Stræde. The tower coins are a series of 10 commemorative coins, all issued as regular 20-kroner coins. Their obverse is the same as that of ordinary 20-kroner coins, while the reverse features images of different towers.

Byforeningen Svanekes Venner marks Utzon's 100th birthday

Jørn Utzon would have turned 100 on April 9, 2018. Byforeningen Svanekes Venner is marking the occasion with several events in 2018. On his birthday, April 9, 2018, Svaneke Venner will fly the flag at Svaneke Town Hall, Storegade 24. Jørn Utzon was originally asked to draw up proposals for a water tower and waterworks because Svaneke's mayor at the time, Emil Andersen, wanted an architect to undertake the task. This resulted in the town's unique landmark in 1952.

If you would like to see Utzon's waterworks

If you drive from Svaneke toward Listed, you can also see Svaneke Waterworks at Hans Thygesensvej 46 A. It is on the left just before Listed, where a path along the Vaseåen stream leads up to the waterworks itself.