Fernmeldeturm Mannheim, Television and observation tower with rotating restaurant in Mannheim, Germany
Fernmeldeturm Mannheim is a telecommunications and observation tower in Mannheim, Germany, rising 217.8 meters (about 715 feet) and built from reinforced concrete, steel, glass, and aluminum. The shaft supports an observation deck at 120 meters (about 394 feet) and a rotating restaurant above it, all crowned by a glazed dome.
Architect Erwin Heinle designed the tower, which was built between 1973 and 1975 to broadcast radio and television signals across the region. The construction belongs to a generation of reinforced concrete towers raised in Germany during the 1970s, a period of major investment in public broadcasting infrastructure.
Locals often call the tower simply 'Fernsehturm', and it has become a familiar landmark visible from many neighborhoods across the city. The restaurant rotates slowly, so guests can enjoy changing views of the Rhine and the Odenwald hills during their meal.
The observation deck offers a wide view over Mannheim, the Rhine valley, and forested hills in the distance, with clear days allowing sight of the Vosges mountains. A visit is best enjoyed in good weather, when visibility is highest and surrounding towns stand out clearly.
In 1994, a helicopter struck the upper section of the tower, prompting structural adjustments and reinforced safety protocols. The incident became a turning point in discussions about flight routes near tall buildings in German urban areas.
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