On a hilltop 10 meters above sea level stands the water tower that overlooks Nahariya and has become the symbol of the city. Construction of the tower was begun in May 1935 and was completed at the end of February 1936.

The 27-meter high tower was designed as a closed octagonal structure with a round reservoir with a capacity of 250 cubic meters. The internal space underneath the reservoir was divided into stories and connected by a staircase. The final decision to construct the tower was made in October 1934, the main purpose being to provide water for irrigation of the northern plots, from the Gaaton Boulevard to north of Hanita Street.

The first attempt at drilling was made in January 1935 (east of today's Soglowek store) and failed. A new attempt was made in February 1935 (at the corner of today's Weizmann and Steinmetz Streets), and it met with success. The well, which was named "Well No. 2", produced 500 cubic liters of exceptional quality water per hour – with 0.0035 grams of chlorine per liter.

In addition to supplying water, the water tower also served in other capacities:

• The office of "Nahariya Small Holdings Ltd."
• In the eventful years from 1936 to 1939, the rooftop was used for communication.
• During the day Morse signals were transmitted via heliograph, and at night via projector to Hanita to the north and as far as Haifa to the south.
• In the late 1930s one floor was used as a watchmen's station.
• During World War II, there was an observation point on the roof to spot infiltrating enemy planes and ships.
• The tower was also the site of an archeological museum with finds from Nahariya and the surrounding area.
• A children's library and public reading room served as a cultural center for the public.
• In 1949 there was a police station on the ground floor with a holding cell.
• From the 1950s to the 1970s, the water tower served as an art center.

The flow of water to the reservoir was stopped in 1984 for technical reasons, thus bringing the tower's principal function to an end. In the 1990s, due to the tower's dilapidated condition, the women of the Rotary Club (The Inner Wheel) in conjunction with the municipality initiated the renovation of the outer walls. After being renovated and expanded, the place was reopened in 2003 as an art gallery, through the initiative of the Nahariya Municipality in association with the Israel State Lottery, the Council for the Preservation of Historical Sites, and "The Inner Wheel".

A research project on the history of the tower brought to light the testimony of a veteran citizen of the city, in which he stated that there was a hidden hall underneath the floor which had been used for the training of Hagana soldiers in 1936. The testimony was confirmed and the hall was found.

As the city's population grew, wells were added and two more towers were built. Today, most of the city's water consumption is supplied from the wells, and only one-third of the water consumption is provided by Mekorot (the national water authority).

The Water Tower Today

Today the water tower serves as an art gallery with temporary exhibitions. Sculptures are exhibited in the large yard and on the terrace. In addition, lectures in the field of art and theater and musical performances also take place there.

We extend a special thank you to Mr. Eli Bar-On for his assistance in providing information on the history of the water tower.

Bibliography:

Minutes from meetings of Nahariya Small Holdings Ltd.
Minutes from meetings of the Nahariya Agricultural Cooperative Society
Lehman, Erich M. (1960). Nahariya

Opening Hours

Sunday – Thursday 09:00-13:00
Tuesday and Thursday 16:00-19:00

Saturday 10:00-14:00