At the highest point in Lozenets – a full 610 metres above sea level – stands the Water Tower. It is one of two such towers in Sofia, literally nestled amongst the apartment blocks. It was built between September 1928 and November 1929. It was designed as part of the Rila Water Supply System to raise the water level in ‘Gorni Lozenets’ and generate the necessary pressure to distribute water throughout the surrounding neighbourhood.

Standing 27 metres tall, with four storeys above ground and one below, the tower holds 100 cubic metres of water, but for a long time it also served as a lookout point – the panoramic view makes it ideal for this purpose.

In 2006, it was given a new lease of life. The Water Tower Art Fest began – an independent art festival that transformed the industrial structure into a gallery, a stage and a meeting place. For eight years, the IME Association has been responsible not only for the events, but also for the tower itself and the surrounding area.

Since 2017, Gallery +359 has been based here – a space for contemporary art with an international spirit and a local context.