Askanierturm, Observation tower in Schorfheide, Germany.
Askanierturm is a stone observation tower on the southern shore of Lake Werbellin, in the Schorfheide forest area of Brandenburg. It stands 12 meters (about 39 feet) tall and has an open viewing platform at the top, surrounded by a parapet.
An earlier medieval castle stood on this site before being destroyed centuries before the tower was built in 1879. That fortress had belonged to the Ascanian dynasty, one of the ruling families of the Brandenburg region during the Middle Ages.
The tower takes its name from the House of Ascania, the medieval noble family that once controlled this region. Visitors who climb to the top can look out over the same lake and forest that surrounded the original fortress centuries ago.
The tower is freely accessible from outside, but to enter it you need to collect a key from the nearby cafe. The surrounding terrain is forested and uneven, so sturdy footwear is a good idea.
The tower was used as a filming location for a German television production, which means many people have seen it on screen before ever visiting in person. This has made it a recognizable spot for viewers who may not have known its name or history beforehand.
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