The Woltersdorf observation tower on the Kranichsberg offers a unique 360° view of the surrounding forests and lakes. The 25-meter-high tower stands 102 meters above sea level and can be reached via 90 steps. In addition to the view, the tower houses the exhibition "When Woltersdorf was still Hollywood," which highlights the film history of the town from 1920 to 1938.
You may want to allow a little more time for the walk up and back. The permanent exhibition "When Woltersdorf was still Hollywood" invites you to linger with its many interesting articles, posters and collages and provides information about the history of film production during the silent film era in Woltersdorf and its surroundings. Here you get an impressive insight into the dedication and attention to detail with which the sculptors and artisans went about their work at that time.
The association decided to build the first observation tower in November 1885 and the inauguration took place on May 13, 1886. The tower was named "Kron-Prinz-Friedrich-Wilhelm-Turm". The association covered the costs of 4.500 marks with raffle shares of 20 marks each, and the construction costs were paid off by 1893.
“The observation tower on the heights of the Kranichsberg mountains shines as a landmark and signpost far into the country...”, as written in the commemorative publication for the fiftieth anniversary of the “Kranichsberg” beautification association in 1934.
Until 1945, the tower remained the pride of all Woltersdorf residents and a popular tourist destination for Berliners. On April 20, 1945, the observation tower was set on fire by members of the Volkssturm and was destroyed by flames. Only the remains of the foundations give an idea of where the tower once stood.
In 1961, the Woltersdorf municipal council decided to build a new observation tower in the Kranichsbergen. The Greater Berlin magistrate supported the construction financially, as Woltersdorf was considered the "pearl of the outskirts of Berlin". The Woltersdorf residents wanted a wooden tower again. The municipality built a combined "fire watch and observation tower" together with the Hangelsberg State Forestry Company.
The foundation stone for the new tower was laid on April 8, 1961. The project was created by Woltersdorf civil engineer Rudolf Post on a voluntary basis; the municipality paid nothing for it. Mr. Post, a long-time member of the parish church council and the voluntary building committee in the town, created a lasting monument for himself with this tower. The same goes for Willi Hildebrandt, master carpenter, who has been running his business since 1931, together with his son Reinhard. The wooden construction of the tower represents a challenge for all Woltersdorf companies involved.
But the material also had to be procured. The municipality's employee at the time, Gisela Schuldt, was responsible for this. Cement, reinforcing steel, wood, and bolts and nuts were all custom-made by the former Reichsbahn repair shop in Finsterwalde - without any payment. Today this is called "sponsorship".
But there was a rude awakening. The wood cut by the Hennickendorf sawmill also found other buyers. At this time, a Soviet unit from the Rüdersdorf forest camp was building a radio relay station on the Kranichsberg. Lumber was "used" to build bunkers and tables and benches.
G. Schuldt and W. Hildebrandt travel to the Soviet command in Fürstenwalde, directly into the "lion's den". They are treated as if they had stolen the lumber themselves, but are successful nonetheless. Woltersdorf receives a new allocation of 21 cubic meters of lumber from the Red Army's special contingent. The topping-out ceremony takes place on October 7, 1961, and on July 14, 1962, the revered former mayor Charlotte Matzdorf is able to inaugurate the observation tower and open it to the public. It is also used by the forestry industry as a fire watchtower.
Unfortunately, the public was not the only one to show great interest in the Woltersdorf observation tower. In 1976, the GDR's state security took over sole use of it.
It was not until 1990 – when the Woltersdorf Beautification Association was re-founded on January 22nd – that it took over the key to the tower from the municipal administration and received a usage contract on April 30th, 1992.
In the following years, the association arranged for further renovations and extensions in and around the tower. Association member Gerald Ramm opened a tower museum in the tower: “When Woltersdorf was still Hollywood”. Interesting photos from the silent film era as well as remnants of sets from films that were shot in our area invite visitors.
Technical data of the tower:
- 102 meters above sea level
- 25 meters high
- 90 steps to the viewing platform
- about 80 cubic meters of wood
- 3,6 tons of steel
