Wilhelm Raabe Tower
The Wilhelm- Raabe - waiting in the resin is a 21.60 m high observation tower on the Eichenberg in Blankenburg in the Harz district in Saxony- Anhalt. It was founded in 1896 in honor of Wilhelm II, the former German Emperor and King of Prussia, built and is one of the few remaining imperial towers.
The tower is currently (2012 ) are besichtet only from the outside.
Geographical location
The Wilhelm- Raabe - Observatory is located in the Lower Harz Harz nature park / Saxony- Anhalt. It stands on the summit of Oak Mountain (416 m above sea level. NN ), which is directly west rises the Blankenburger core city.
The climb to the tower is short but very steep sections.
Is the need of rehabilitation building of the former restaurant right next to the tower. It is planned to open a traveling restaurant with overnight accommodation.
History
In November 1894 there was the first idea to build this observation tower. The end of 1895 then came the decision to build, and on March 22, 1896 began the groundbreaking ceremony. The inauguration of the Emperor was waiting on 9 September 1896.
1921 took one before consuming repair work on the tower, which were financed by the emperor's daughter, Duchess Victoria Luise. In addition, a wooden shack for hosting was built. Nevertheless existed 1922-1950 only minimal management with temporary interruptions.
After the Second World War (1939-1945), a further repair of the tower through the initiative of the Blankenburg Harz Club members was made possible. In 1950 it was renamed "Wilhelm- Raabe - waiting " in honor of the writer Wilhelm Raabe.
Because the wooden hut was destroyed, the company Karl Hildebrandt took (architect in Blankenburg ) before building a massive barracks for the management. This was opened on 10 July 1954. 1976 was renovated in the course of construction of operating holiday home ZBO the "unity" Dachrieden with public restaurant " Wilhelm- Raabe - waiting " the observation tower on. The restaurant was operated from 1978 to 1992.
On 19 February 1996, the Harz Club branch club Blankenburg eV bought the property with the "Wilhelm- Raabe - waiting ". On 15 September 1996 the transfer of the observation tower to the public took place.
Tower data
- Height of tower:
- Levels: 106 (41 iron, 44 wood, 21 stone)
- Construction period: 22 March to 2 September 1896
View opportunity
From the observation deck of the Wilhelm- Raabe - waiting, the eye is particularly the town of Blankenburg and in the northern Harz foreland. For improved visibility, the visibility is up to 70-75 km.