Waterworks: A Game and the Hidden History of Urban Water Supply in Grudziądz

This article explores the history of Grudziądz’s water supply system from the Middle Ages to the late 19th century. Due to the town’s location on a high escarpment along the Vistula River, conventional gravity-fed systems were unfeasible, leading to the construction of innovative facilities such as a waterworks and a supply tower. The study is based on historical source analysis and non-invasive methods, including aerial prospection, LiDAR scanning, and ground-penetrating radar, as excavations were not possible in the urban setting. Key outcomes include detailed documentation and measurement of the water tower, creation of a digital model, identification of an internal tunnel, and efforts to trace its external route.