Hainigturm, Observation tower in Lauterbach, Hesse, Germany

The Hainigturm is a 21.2-metre stone tower on the Hainig ridge, an old oak stand between Lauterbach, Rudlos and Angersbach. Its walls are five metres across, with an outside stair of 17 steps to the entrance, then a left-turning spiral stair: 44 steps to a small balcony at 10.8 metres, 54 more to the platform at 20 metres, where direction plates name the visible landmarks.

The original structure was built from wood before being completely replaced with a stone building in 1907. This transformation made the tower permanent and has shaped the local landscape ever since.

The tower's name comes from the Hainig, an old oak grove on a rocky knoll about 440 metres up. The Lauterbach branch of the Vogelsberger Höhen-Club opened the first wooden tower here on 6 August 1882 with a big public festival, and the stone tower followed on 26 May 1907. At the 1907 inauguration mayor Alexander Stöpler quoted the words "Wandrer ziehe die Schuhe aus, denn der Ort, auf dem Du stehst, ist ein heiliges Land".

An external staircase of 17 steps leads to the entrance, 3.3 m above ground. Inside, a left-turning spiral staircase reaches a small balcony at 10.8 m after 44 steps, then the viewing platform at 20 m after 54 more. Direction signs on the parapet identify the visible landmarks.

The sandstone plaque above the sealed metal door on the southeast side records the start of construction in 1906, a detail many visitors walk past on their way to the stairs. The tower was inaugurated on 26 May 1907, and its centenary was celebrated on 17 May 2007.