Elevated tanks had served as water storage since ancient times but spread worldwide only in the 19th century when pipe technology became more robust and reliable. The beauty of a tower is that it supplies water even during an electricity outage — thank god for gravity!

© All photos by Slava Shestopalov
Many old towers are protected historical sites or repurposed as libraries, apartments, or offices. And Berlin is a great example of a city that preserved many old towers despite being almost fully devastated during the Second World War.