The Woltersdorf observation tower on the Kranichsberg It offers a sweeping 360-degree view of the surrounding forests and lakes. The 25-meter-high tower stands on the Kranichsberg hill, which is approximately 102 meters high, and can be reached via more than 90 steps.
But it's not just the view that makes the climb worthwhile. The tower houses the permanent exhibition. "When Woltersdorf was still Hollywood"Photos, posters, collages, and other exhibits recall the time when Woltersdorf and its surroundings served as a backdrop for numerous film productions between 1920 and 1938. The exhibition offers insights into the silent film era and demonstrates the considerable craftsmanship involved in creating sets and film worlds at that time.
The history of the observation tower dates back to the 19th century. The first tower on Kranichsberg was inaugurated in 1886. This tower was destroyed in April 1945. In the early 1960s, a new combined fire lookout and observation tower was built on the same site and opened on July 14, 1962.
From 1976 onwards, the tower was used exclusively by the East German State Security Service (Stasi) and was not open to the public. Following the re-establishment of the Woltersdorf Beautification Society in 1990, the observation tower was reclaimed and further developed in the following years.
Today the observation tower connects Nature experience, panoramic views and Woltersdorf film history and is a popular destination for excursions in the Kranichsberge mountains.
Technical data of the tower:
- 25 meters high
- 90 steps to the viewing platform
- about 80 cubic meters of wood
- 3,6 tons of steel
