Tetrahedron in Bottrop, Steel observation tower and sculpture in Bottrop, Germany.
The Tetrahedron in Bottrop is a 60-meter steel observation tower on the Beckstraße slag heap in North Rhine-Westphalia. The structure rests on four concrete pillars and holds three platforms connected by suspended staircases, each offering a different height and perspective.
Wolfgang Christ and Klaus Bollinger designed the tower, which opened on German Unity Day in October 1995. It was built as part of the International Building Exhibition Emscher Park, a project that reimagined abandoned mining and industrial sites across the Ruhr.
Locals often walk up the slag heap just to sit near the base and watch the light change through the steel frame as the day shifts. The tower has become a familiar marker for people who grew up in the area, a symbol of what happens when industry gives way to something new.
The three platforms sit at 18, 32, and 38 meters (about 59, 105, and 125 feet) and can be reached via suspended staircases that shift slightly underfoot. The top platform is a tilted ring that moves gently in strong wind, so wear sturdy shoes and take your time climbing.
The third platform is an 8-meter (about 26-foot) diameter ring tilted at 8 degrees, suspended by cables so it shifts gently in strong wind. The entire steel frame weighs around 200 tons yet moves just enough that you can feel it sway when you stand at the top.
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