Wilhelm-Swarovski-Beobachtungswarte, Glass observation tower and museum in Heiligenblut, Austria.

The Wilhelm-Swarovski-Beobachtungswarte is a glass-and-wood observation tower built to resemble a mountain crystal, standing at about 2410 metres above sea level on the Kaiserstein panorama trail above the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe. From its upper floor, powerful telescopes are trained on ibexes, marmots and mountaineers opposite the Grossglockner. Since July 2026 it has been renamed Nationalpark Kristall Großglockner and houses the exhibition "Zwischen Fels und Himmel. Leben über der Waldgrenze".

The tower opened in 1998 with support from the Swarovski family of Innsbruck, marking a new approach to nature observation in the Austrian Alps. The project grew from the desire to bring the mountain world closer to visitors while sharing knowledge about alpine environments.

The tower's shape echoes a mountain crystal, a nod to the Swarovski family of Innsbruck who funded it. Inside, the summer exhibition "Zwischen Fels und Himmel. Leben über der Waldgrenze" explains life above the treeline, while the telescopes on the upper floor are set for watching ibexes, marmots and mountaineers on the Grossglockner opposite.

The tower is reached via the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, a toll road with stopping points and facilities along the way. Weather and altitude conditions can change quickly, so proper gear and caution are important for your visit.

The tower's shape is meant to represent a mountain crystal, and it was built with support from the Swarovski family of Innsbruck. From the upper floor, powerful telescopes are aimed mainly at ibexes, marmots and mountaineers on the slopes opposite the Grossglockner.