The water tower is one of the symbols of resistance of Vukovar during the Homeland War.
On Friday, Mayor of Vukovar Ivan Penava signed contracts for the works and supervision of the works for the reconstruction of the water tower in Vukovar, in the total amount of 25.2 million kuna, saying that the reconstruction project of the water tower, one of the symbols of resistance of Vukovar during the Homeland War, has finally entered its last phase, reports Index.hr on May 12, 2017.
He expressed satisfaction with the fact that the water tower would be reconstructed by the Planum company from Vukovar.
Mayor Penava also said that the supervision of the reconstruction works would be carried out by the IGH Institute from Zagreb, which has decided to donate the cost of the supervision services, in the amount of almost half a million kuna, to the town of Vukovar as its contribution to the restoration of the water tower.
“The entire fund-raising drive for the reconstruction of the water tower, which ends today, has included 5,076 persons and 1,156 legal entities, which donated 18 million kuna in total. When we add to that amount 18.5 million kuna allocated by the government, the total amount is almost 37 million kuna,” the Vukovar Mayor said.
He announced that the contractors would launch the reconstruction process next week, and the works themselves have been divided into two phases. The first phase will include the reconstruction of the water tower itself, as well as a carpark for passenger cars and buses, while the second phase will involve facilities within the water tower. The works which are part of the first phase should last for about year and a half. Penava added that the total amount of funds raised, nearly 37 million kuna, should be sufficient for both the first and the second phase of the project.
The water tower was built in 1968 as a replacement for the former water tower which was located in the centre of the town, which did not have sufficient capacity for the growing town. It is 50 metres high and, with a capacity of 2,200 cubic metres, it was one of the largest structures of its kind in Europe at the time. Before the Homeland War, the water tower also included a restaurant and a sight-seeing facility. In 1991, during the battle for Vukovar, the water tower was damaged by Serb forces. It was hit with more than 600 missiles and became a symbol of resistance of the town. During the siege, the Croatian flag flew constantly on its top.
