Bismarck Tower (Ballenstedt)

The Bismarck Tower in the Ballenstedter district Opperode is a 1914/15 structurally begun and 1930/31 perfect lookout on the 270.6 m above sea level. NN high steel in the Harz mountains in the district of Harz, in Saxony -Anhalt and belongs to the Bismarck monuments.

Geographical location

The Bismarck Tower is located in the Mansfeld region at the edge of the nature park Harz / Saxony- Anhalt. He stands on the just south of the traversed by Sauerbach Opperode located Stahlberg, a wooded mountain spur the northeast flank of the resin.

Description and History

For the 100 - year anniversary of the Battle of Leipzig (1913 ) the mayor Ballenstedt Wendt suggested the establishment of a Bismarck tower. The tower Committee formed chose as the location Stahlberg at Opperode and Professor Wilhelm Kreis as architects of the tower. The latter opted for a design that was very similar to the already award-winning design Götterdämmerung.

The Bismarck Tower was built of limestone and granite resin. The cornerstone ceremony took place shortly before the outbreak of the First World War (1914-1918) held on June 14, 1914, in which the construction work came to a standstill. 1930 to early 1931, the tower was completed on behalf of the Harz Club branch association Ballenstedt in a simple form. They renounced as to the intended fire bowl on the observation deck. On 20 May 1931, the tower was inaugurated during a simple ceremony.

After the Second World War (1939-1945) and in the communist era (1949-1990), the tower was left to decay. After the end of the Cold War (1945-1990) was carried out in 1994/95 a restoration, and the tower was reopened on 1 July 1995.

The tower is about 11 m ( 16.50 m were originally planned) high. An internal staircase with 57 steps leads to the observation deck, the altitude of around 280 m. MSL.

Hiking and view option

The Bismarck Tower is not always accessible. A key to the gate can be borrowed for example via the Tourist information Ballenstedt. From the observation deck overlooking the falls especially on the Harz mountains, Ballenstedt and Opperode. The tower is included as No. 199 in the system of stamp locations of the Harz hiking pin.