Uilentoren, Observation tower in Utrechtse Heuvelrug, Netherlands
The Uilentoren is a brick tower with a square base, its four corners adorned with stone owl sculptures that make the structure instantly recognizable. It reaches an observation platform via an internal staircase, offering views across the rolling landscape.
The structure was built in 1904 as a folly on the Lombok estate grounds, which had been established on purchased heathland. Architect J. Pothoven Azn designed it for landowner H.G. van Dam, creating an unusual ornamental feature for his property.
The tower displays early 20th-century playful design with its distinctive owl sculptures at each corner, making it a whimsical artwork in the landscape. This imaginative approach appeals to visitors looking for something unusual during their walk through the region.
The tower sits at the end of Lomboklaan in Leersum and welcomes visitors year-round. The internal staircase provides access to the viewing platform, and the surrounding pathways are flat and easy to walk around the base.
One of the four original stone owls that crowned the roof was recovered in 2012 and now stands on a pedestal beside the tower for visitors to see. This rediscovered figure tells the story of how the building has changed over the decades.
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