Miniature water tower in Oederan: local history kept alive!

Miniature water tower in Oederan: local history kept alive!

On June 19, 2025, a very special piece of local history came to life in Oederan: a detailed model of the historic Siebenlehn water tower was ceremoniously inaugurated in the Klein-Erzgebirge Miniature Park. This great idea came about during a class reunion by Rosemarie Walcha, who wanted to bring the water tower into the miniature park as a member of a support association. The View reports that the Wasserturm Siebenlehn e.V. support association took the initiative, planned the financing and worked closely with the Klein-Erzgebirge e.V.

The replica model is impressive with a height of around 1.20 meters and is made of wood that has been finished with acrylic paints in vibrant colors. Similar to the majestic original built in 1912, the miniature model has distinctive features such as the striking dome with a slate roof. The original water tower, with its around 40 meters height and steel skeleton on eight columns, has played an important role in the water supply over the years.

Water tower and its history

Water towers are not only technical monuments, but also testify to the development of water supply in the 19th and 20th centuries. They provided drinking water, personal hygiene, trade and firefighting. Historically, the Romans already used aqueducts to distribute water, which is in complete contrast to the later challenges of the Industrial Revolution, which therefore also led to an increased demand for water. In Germany, the first central water supply was established in Hamburg in 1848, leading to the need for water towers to transport water to the higher floors of buildings and equalize pressure. This is another historical aspect that the Monuments illuminated.

The model in Oederan was made by a dedicated craft and painting group from Klein-Erzgebirge e.V. The inauguration was celebrated by numerous supporters and guests of honor who appreciated the joint effort. The people of Siebenlehner are also looking forward to their traditional water tower festival on August 30th and 31st, where not only will the connection with their water tower be celebrated, but also the upcoming presentation of a new model of Augustusburg Castle for the “Night of the Little Erzgebirge” on August 16th. On the occasion of these events, the importance of the water tower and its history will be further highlighted.

For anyone interested, there is also an additional page ins-erzgebirge.de Exciting information about the Siebenlehn water tower. The committed work of the support association and the creative passion of those involved show that the past remains alive and will continue to be anchored in the memory of the population in the future.

At a time when historical buildings are often forgotten, the project in Oederan is a shining example of how people are aware of their history and actively keep it alive.