Wasserturm Montabaur · Guide
Stay in a water tower – what is it like to live in a listed monument?
Sleep in the shaft, live in the former water tank – the 1879 water tower in Montabaur, Germany, is a holiday apartment for two. What to expect and who it suits.
Why water towers exist
Steam locomotives needed water on the way – lots of it. That is why many stations had a water tower: a large tank at the top and a masonry shaft below, holding the tank high enough for the water to flow into the engines under its own pressure. The Montabaur water tower was built in 1879 for the station opposite. When steam disappeared, the tower lost its job, but not its shape.
Around 1990 it was restored and converted into living space, in 2023 it was completely refurbished, and in 2026 air conditioning and a smart control system were added. Today it is a listed monument you can actually live in.
Three levels instead of three rooms
A tower is built upwards, not outwards, so the apartment spreads over three levels:
- At the top, in the former tank: living room, kitchen and the bathroom rebuilt in 2023. This is the widest and brightest part of the tower.
- Below, in the octagonal shaft: the bedroom with a queen-size bed. The thick walls keep it quiet.
- In the basement: washing machine and dryer.
Together that is 58 m² for a maximum of two guests.
Who the tower suits
The tower is ideal for couples – a weekend for two, a break in the Westerwald or a stopover on the way between Cologne and Frankfurt. Solo travellers feel at home too, for example on a business trip.
To be honest, it is not for everyone:
- No children. The many stairs and the architecture of the tower are not safe for children.
- Not step-free. The levels are connected by stairs only; a tower from 1879 cannot have a lift. Keep this in mind if you have limited mobility or very heavy luggage.
- No pets, not even as an exception.
Old building, modern comfort
The shape, stairs and walls are historic. Everything else is up to date: fast Wi-Fi on every level, Bosch air conditioning in the bedroom and upstairs, a touchscreen for climate, heating and outdoor lighting, a Nespresso machine and a small desk with a monitor. In front of the steps there are two private parking spaces with an 11 kW wallbox.
In the middle of town
The tower stands in the Aubach quarter, the old station district of Montabaur. The ICE station is a five-minute walk away, the old town and the castle about fifteen minutes. See Getting here for directions and Things to do for ideas in the area.