Water tower Heist-op-den-Berg

The Water Tower of Heist-op-den-Berg is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Kempen region of Antwerp province. It stands at the top of the Heistse Berg hill, right in the middle of the Hoogbergbos forest — an unusual pairing of a water tower and a wooded hilltop that together create one of the highest viewpoints in the area.

Where does the tower come from?

The story begins in the mid-20th century. In 1956, the Caluwaert family sold a plot of land to the Antwerp water utility company P.I.D.P.A. for the construction of a new water tower. The 32-metre-tall structure was completed and officially inaugurated on 2 May 1959, and it has served as a buffer reservoir for the local water supply network ever since.

Why does it double as an observation tower?

The tower itself measures 32 metres, but because it sits on top of the Heistse Berg — a hill that adds roughly 46 metres of elevation to its surroundings — the viewing gallery at its summit sits at 71.6 metres above sea level. That is high enough to offer sweeping views over a large stretch of the Kempen countryside, including the surrounding forests and farmland around Heist-op-den-Berg. This dual role, part water infrastructure and part scenic lookout, is why the structure is listed in Flanders' heritage inventory (Inventaris Onroerend Erfgoed) as a "water and observation tower."

What is the swan on top?

A distinctive copper swan crowns the tower. The swan is a historic symbol of the town of Heist-op-den-Berg, and the sculpture was made by local craftsman, engineer and inventor Arthur Vereecke. The bird is so closely tied to local identity that when it disappeared in the summer of 2026 for restoration work, some residents feared it had been stolen — it was eventually reinstalled after conservation, a story covered by regional media at the time.

Can visitors explore the area?

The tower stands within the Hoogbergbos woodland, which is itself a popular destination for walks and cycling trips among residents of the Kempen region. The municipality of Heist-op-den-Berg promotes the site as a piece of local industrial heritage and a natural anchor point for longer walks through the surrounding forest.

Frequently asked questions

How tall is the water tower in Heist-op-den-Berg? The structure itself is 32 metres tall, but since it stands on the Heistse Berg hill, its viewing gallery reaches 71.6 metres above sea level.

When was the tower built? It was built in the late 1950s on land sold in 1956 by the Caluwaert family to the water utility P.I.D.P.A., and it was officially opened on 2 May 1959.

What does the swan on top of the tower represent? The copper swan is a traditional symbol of the town of Heist-op-den-Berg, crafted by local engineer and inventor Arthur Vereecke.

Where exactly is the tower located? It stands on Kerkhofstraat, at the top of the Heistse Berg hill within the Hoogbergbos forest, in the municipality of Heist-op-den-Berg in Antwerp province.