Emperor William Monument

The Emperor William Monument rises from a ridge near Porta Westfalica, reaching a total height of 88 meters (289 feet) with its copper dome and bronze figure beneath. The structure sits at 276 meters (906 feet) above sea level and includes both the tower with its rotunda and an exhibition area inside.

Bruno Schmitz and Caspar von Zumbusch created the structure between 1892 and 1896 as a tribute to the late Kaiser Wilhelm I. The completion came during a period when many such memorials were being raised across the newly founded German Empire.

The structure takes its name from Wilhelm I, first ruler of unified Germany, whose bronze figure stands beneath the dome. Visitors walking through the rotunda rooms can follow the changing story of the region through different media presentations that make past events easier to grasp.

The visitor center opens Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00, with parking spots available during operating hours for a fee. The climb up to the site requires some fitness but rewards walkers with wide views over the surrounding countryside.

Inside, a 270-square-meter (2,906-square-foot) exhibition space features a panoramic wall displaying 33 different scenes from the regional past. The presentations range from Roman times to the 20th century, making local history tangible in an unexpected way.