Szczecin Bismarck tower

The Szczecin Bismarck tower or Bismarck Tower of Szczecin - Gotzlow, also called for the construction Bismarck Hall, is a memorial to the imperial founder, Otto von Bismarck, the first quarter of the 20th century in Gotzlow district (Polish Gocław ) of Stettin, the capital of the province Pomerania, was built. Szczecin - Gotzlow located north of the center of Szczecin on the left bank of the Oder. The Bismarck tower stands there on a vineyard or Juloberg said peaks of the high- shore or in which it is the highest point on the west bank of the Oder. There, the tower today is visible from afar. The Gotzlower vineyard with the Bismarck tower can be reached from Central Station by tram from Stettin, which has its northern terminus there.

Before 1911 monuments were planned in honor of Prince Otto von Bismarck in Szczecin though, but not yet realized. The construction of a monument in the shape of a Bismarck Tower in Szczecin had already been suggested in 1899, but was an architectural competition delayed because the question of location for the time being remained unexplained. Mayor of Szczecin and relied on as an expert architect Bruno Schmitz had initially supported the battle Erwiese as a location. Finally, the proposal of the city councils prevailed to erect the monument visible on the Vineyard.

Following the establishment of, the Association for the establishment of a Bismarck monument eV ', chaired by the Provincial Governor Paul von Eisenhart - Rothe An architectural competition was announced in 1910. Under the chairmanship of the Szczecin City Commissioner of City Planning Wilhelm Meyer- Schwartau acted as judges, among others renowned architects such as Paul Wallot, Friedrich von Thiersch and Martin Dülfer. These chose the design of architect Wilhelm Kreis out of a monumental, wanted to realize the Great anlehnendes monument in the architectural style of the Mausoleum of Theodoric, which should, however, in contrast to the Tomb of the Ostrogoth act as a lookout at the same time. The building was constructed in concrete, the facades are clad in limestone. Was financed by the 200,000 Mark expensive building to a half by donations and the other by a government grant in the amount of 100,000 marks, the County Council approved the.

The foundation stone was laid in 1913 at a ceremony to mark the centenary of the Battle of Leipzig. The inauguration of the monument should be done for the 100th anniversary of Bismarck on April 1, 1915 originally; the completion of the building was delayed by the First World War. With the construction Comet was commissioned; the artistic direction exercised by the architect Wilhelm Kreis. The inauguration of the Bismarck tower as a lookout was on 10 August 1921.

Was located on the outer wall of the tower, a 37 -meter-long all- inscription, which was one of Bismarck's speech from 1870 taken and which read: We're going with an iron step, grind, what the production against the German nation and its glory and power is. When, after the Second World War in Szczecin an industry conference to be held, 19,000 zloty has been committed to advance this 37 meter-long German inscription on the tower chisel away and let plastered with cement. The earlier the tower crowning Adler had already been cast down before. You are now half sunk in the ground in the area.

The Grade II Listed, greatly in need of rehabilitation Szczecin Bismarck tower is currently available (Oct 2012) together with an associated 8,500 m² lot on ebay for a total of € 320,000 to purchase. In 2011 the tower was put up for sale, but never found a buyer.