High up in northern Slottsskogen, Vattentornet in Slottsskogen is one of the park’s most distinctive landmarks. The tower is also known as Kikaren and stands on Stora Utsikten, the highest point in Slottsskogen, 80 metres above sea level. During the summer season, Aquatoriet offers guided tours of the tower.
Despite its name, this is not a water tower in the traditional sense, but a lookout tower built on top of a water reservoir. In 1891, Gothenburg City Council decided to build a new water supply system, bringing water from the Göta älv river via Alelyckan. As part of that system, Vattentornet in Slottsskogen was built in 1899, designed by Adrian Crispin Peterson and his son Carl Crispin.
The lookout section was built with a terrace and a staircase placed to the side. The walls are made of rough granite blocks with bands of smaller stones, while the decorative details are in polished stone.
From the hill around the tower, you get views over the city, the river and the sea and a good reason to make your way up to the northern parts of the park.
Please note that the tower is only accessible by stairs.
Combine your visit with a longer walk through Slottsskogen, taking in viewpoints, animal enclosures, playgrounds and other parts of one of Gothenburg’s best-loved parks.