JenTower, High-rise building in Jena, Germany
The JenTower is a cylindrical high-rise with 29 floors that rises to roughly 145 meters above Jena's cityscape. The building currently houses offices, a hotel, restaurants, and an observation deck located around 128 meters above ground.
Designed by Hermann Henselmann as a round tower symbolising a telescope, the building was erected on the Eichplatz quarter demolished in June 1969; the foundation stone was laid on 30 April 1970. It was inaugurated on 2 October 1972 at a height of 127 metres, reduced from Henselmann's original plan, and handed to Friedrich Schiller University because Carl Zeiss had no further need of it.
Locals rarely use the official name; they call the tower "Keksrolle" (cookie roll), "Uniturm" or simply "der Turm". A persistent rumour holds that a twin tower was planned to stand beside it, joined by a bridge so the pair would form a pair of binoculars, the symbol of Jena's optical industry. The 27th floor holds a hotel at 120 metres.
The observation deck provides a view over Jena and the surrounding landscape, though weather conditions can affect visibility. It's worth checking conditions beforehand to make sure the climb will reward you with clear sightlines.
A persistent rumour holds that a twin tower was planned, identical and linked by a bridge, so the pair would form a pair of binoculars as a symbol of Jena's optical industry. It was never built. Locals rarely use the official name, calling the tower Keksrolle (cookie roll) or Uniturm.
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