The water tower, built in the middle of the city centre in 1886, looks back on an eventful history.

The technical and architectural design was realised by Prof. Otto Intze, a well-known hydraulic engineer. The 40 metre high tower, which served as a water reservoir, was connected to the old waterworks on the Lippe by pipelines. In 1923, instead of the originally planned second tower, only a second tank was installed below the original tank for cost reasons, making it a technical curiosity.

The tower stood until the inferno of 16 February 1945. In 1947, the lower, now restored water tank and in 1951 the upper supporting floor tank were put back into operation. When it was decommissioned in 1979, it had - apart from interruptions due to the war - fulfilled its task as an important link in Wesel's water supply for 93 years.

Since 1987, the water tower in the city centre has been a technical monument and part of the Industrial Heritage Route. Since 1991, changing exhibitions have been organised under the motto "Art in the Tower".  The water tower is currently being further developed as a "Dritter Ort" under the programme for venues for culture and encounters in rural areas.