Wilhelm Raabe Tower, Stone observation tower in Blankenburg, Germany.
The Wilhelm Raabe Tower is a 21.60-metre-high observation tower on the 416-metre Eichenberg hill west of Blankenburg's town centre. Its 106 steps mix 41 cast-metal, 44 wooden and 21 stone treads. The tower can only be viewed from outside; access is currently closed because of falling masonry.
The tower was conceived in November 1894, decided upon in late 1895, and its foundation stone was laid on 22 March 1896. It opened on 9 September 1896 as the Kaiserwarte honouring Kaiser Wilhelm II. In 1950 it was renamed Wilhelm-Raabe-Warte after the writer Wilhelm Raabe, and the Harz Club branch in Blankenburg acquired it on 19 February 1996.
The tower was renamed in 1950 after the writer Wilhelm Raabe, who was born in Eschershausen in 1831 and spent part of his life in Wolfenbüttel, both in the Harz region. The renaming replaced the original dedication to Kaiser Wilhelm II. The nearby derelict inn building is planned to reopen as a hiker's hostel.
A staircase inside guides visitors to the viewing platform, with signage that explains the surrounding landscape and local landmarks. On clear days, the view stretches far across the Harz landscape.
The tower's 106 steps mix 41 cast-metal, 44 wooden and 21 stone treads, and its platform covers 20.50 m². In 1921 repairs were co-financed by Duchess Victoria Luise, daughter of Wilhelm II. On very clear days the view reaches 70–75 km.
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