Ludwigs Tower, Observation tower on a hill in Darmstadt, Germany
Ludwigs Tower is a round brick tower, 27.5 m high, on the 242.2 m Ludwigshöhe in Darmstadt-Bessungen. Its diameter narrows from 6 m at the base to 5 m at the top. A lower platform 4.9 m up, 13 m across, is carried by nine masonry piers and six metal supports and enclosed by a crenellated parapet with a 1.1 m metal railing. Inside, a 99-step sandstone spiral staircase rises from a trigonometric point set in the floor to a concrete slab at 23.7 m, then a straight 13-step metal stair reaches the upper platform at 26.2 m.
The Ludwigsturm was built in 1882 on the Ludwigshöhe above Darmstadt-Bessungen and named after Grand Duke Ludwig I of Hesse and by Rhine. Damage to the tower and parts of the surrounding terrace led the city of Darmstadt to begin renovation work in autumn 2020. At the 2023 Open Monument Day it was announced that the renovation had recently been completed, though the tower could not yet be climbed.
A carved stone message at the top dedicates the tower to the prince and the town, expressing wishes for happiness and peace to last for years. Locals and families treat the hill as a weekend walking spot, often pairing a climb with a stop at the nearby café for a drink or ice cream.
Wear sturdy shoes because the stone steps can be slippery in wet or icy weather, and the climb is a steady workout. The hilltop is reached by walking paths through the woods, so allow enough daylight for the return walk.
The balcony above the entrance, at a height of 14.3 m, has a door that stays locked; at its parapet level a decorative band about 1 m wide with a diamond pattern wraps around the brickwork. To leave the tower, visitors ring a bell inside the entrance gate and the host of the Ludwigsklause releases the electric door opener.
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