Wasserkunst von 1535
Working technical monument from 1535 in Bad Arolsen-Landau: a water wheel and pumps still raise spring water as they did in the past; open Sundays from May to October.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The mountain town of Landau sits on a steep hill and for a long time had no wells of its own; residents fetched their water from a spring pond at the foot of the hill. In December 1534, the town contracted with the small-scale smith Bartholomäus Pfeiffer for a system that would bring water to the market square permanently through pipes. In late autumn 1535 the waterworks was finished; from 1555 a fountain trough ("Kump") stood in the market square, and more followed later in the town.
An overshot water wheel, fed by a millrace from the Watter stream, drives two pumps via a crankshaft. They push spring water up to the market square, at a height of about 64 meters. The system was renewed in 1754; in 1900 all houses received pipes, and in 1938 and during the 1950s diesel and electric drives were temporarily added.
In 1981, Landau was connected to the regional supply network and the waterworks was shut down. That same year, citizens founded a friends' association that restored it and continues to run it as a technology museum. Since 1984, a reconstructed Kump again stands in the market square; today the installation also supplies a livestock watering point and the Landau outdoor pool.
Highlights
- Wasserkunst from 1535, still working on its original principle
- Overshot water wheel that drives two historical pumps via a crankshaft
- Explanations by volunteer "water engineers" on every open Sunday
- Reconstructed Kump on the market square, about 64 meters above the installation
Permanent exhibition
- Historische Wasserkunst von 1535 – Guided viewing of the working installation with water wheel, crankshaft and pumps; panels and explanations show how Landau was supplied with water over the centuries.
- Founded
- 1982
- Operated by
- Förderverein zur Erhaltung der Wasserkunst von 1535 Landau e. V.
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Parking near the installation, below the old town.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | On opening Sundays, volunteer "water engineers" explain how the installation works; group tours by registration (contact form or email). |
