Vukovar water tower
{{Short description|Water tower in Vukovar, Croatia}}
{{refimprove|date=January 2012}}
{{Update|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Vukovar water tower
| native_name = {{lang|hr|Vukovarski vodotoranj}}
| image = Vukovar-watertower-after-war.jpg
| image_alt =
| caption = Vukovar water tower after the Croatian War of Independence.
| former_names =
| alternate_names =
| status = Restored
| map_type = Croatia
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location within Croatia
| building_type = Water tower
| architectural_style =
| structural_system =
| cost =
| client =
| owner =
| current_tenants =
| landlord =
| location_country =
| coordinates = {{coord|45.3440|19.0122|display=inline}}
| start_date = 1962
| completion_date = 1968
| inauguration_date =
| destruction_date =
| height = {{convert|50.3|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| diameter =
| floor_count =
| other_dimensions = {{convert|2200|m3|abbr=on}} water capacity
| main_contractor = Hidrotehna Zagreb d.o.o.
| architect = Plan d.o.o.
| structural_engineer =
| services_engineer =
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| url =
| website = https://vukovarskivodotoranj.hr/
| references =
}}
The Vukovar water tower ({{langx|hr|Vukovarski vodotoranj}}) is a water tower in the Croatian city of Vukovar, Croatia. It is one of the most famous symbols of Vukovar and the suffering of the city in the Battle of Vukovar and the Croatian War of Independence, when the water tower and the city itself were largely destroyed by Yugoslav forces.{{Cite web |last=Vladisavljevic |first=Anja |date=2020-10-30 |title=Iconic War-Damaged Tower Reopens in Croatia’s Vukovar |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2020/10/30/iconic-war-damaged-tower-reopens-in-croatias-vukovar/ |access-date=2023-06-27 |website=Balkan Insight |language=en-US}}
History
File:Vukovar water tower-before war.jpg
File:Vodotoranj u Vukovaru 2021.jpg
The water tower was designed by the company Plan and built by Hidrotehna Zagreb. Construction started in 1962, and was completed in 1968. It was built in a city park, popularly known as Najpar-bašća, in the district of Mitnica.{{cite news|url=http://www.vukovarske-novine.com/vijest.php?id=6989 |title=Ne potkopavajte Vodotoranj da se ne sruši |last=Paun |first=Milan |date=16 July 2010 |work=Vukovarske novine |language=Croatian |access-date=21 January 2012}}
It is 50 meters tall and featured a water tank with a capacity of 2200 m3. With its water tank full, it weighed 9000 tons.
Until the war, the top of the tower was home to a restaurant with a view over Vukovar, Danube and surrounding vineyards.
During the Battle of Vukovar, the water tower was one of the most frequent targets of artillery. It was hit more than 600 times during the siege.{{cite news|url=https://www.icty.org/x/cases/mrksic/trans/en/051130IT.htm | title=International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, page 2567}}
Today, it has been converted into a museum with a restaurant. Traces of the war are still evident. Since 10 March 2021 it has been a Tower Member of the World Federation of Great Towers.[https://www.great-towers.com/tower/vukovarski-vodotoranj-vukovar-watertower World Federation of Great Towers]
Present
After the reintegration of Vukovar into the Republic of Croatia, reconstruction of the water tower was initiated by Croatian President Franjo Tuđman, but the process was dropped and the tower instead become a memorial area to the pain and suffering that Vukovar endured. It was officially opened on 30 October 2020, with public access becoming available the following day.{{cite news |title=Vukovar Water Tower – a symbol of Croatian unity officially opened |url=http://www.croatiaweek.com/vukovar-water-tower-a-symbol-of-croatian-unity-officially-opened |access-date=3 January 2021 |work=Croatia Week |date=31 October 2020}}{{Failed verification|date=January 2021}}
References
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