Bismarck Tower, Monument tower in Opperode, Germany
Bismarck Tower is a granite structure on Stahlsberg hill near Ballenstedt that rises about 14.67 meters (48 feet) into the air. From its observation platform, visitors can gaze across the northern Harz region and spot the Brocken mountain during clear weather.
Construction started in 1914 to honor Bismarck's 100th birthday but was interrupted by World War I. The Harz Club finally completed the project in 1931 after years of delay.
The tower was designed by architect Wilhelm Kreis, who created many memorial structures across Germany in the early 20th century. Its style shapes the landscape today and tells of a particular era in German building culture.
To enter the tower and climb the interior staircase to the viewing platform, visitors must pick up a key from Ballenstedt Tourist Information office. The best time to climb is during dry weather when visibility across the surrounding mountains is especially good.
On clear days, visitors can spot the distant structures on the Brocken from the platform, which lies more than 30 kilometers away. This unusually good long-distance view is hard to achieve from many other places in the region and makes the climb particularly worthwhile.
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