Bismarck Tower (Augsburg)

Augsburg Bismarck Tower

The Augsburg Bismarck Tower is on the Steppacher Berg in Steppach ( Neusäß ) on the B 300 ( Augsburg district , Bavaria ).

Bismarck monuments have been erected since 1868 in honor of the first German Chancellor, Prince Otto von Bismarck, who was dismissed in 1890, in many places in what was then Germany , in the former colonies and on all continents. The Augsburg Bismarck Tower follows the standard Götterdämmerung , with which the architect Wilhelm Kreis won a competition of the German student body in 1899, one year after Bismarck's death . This means that this tower, apart from individual characteristics, is practically identical in construction to 47 other Bismarck towers or Bismarck columns.

The tower stands in the Neusäss city area. The city of Augsburg is the owner of the tower and the surrounding area. The Erholungsgebieteverein Augsburg e. V. is responsible for the maintenance and renovation of the tower.

History of the tower

The cornerstone ceremony for Swabia's only Bismarck tower took place in July 1901. After four years, the 20 meter high tower in the form of a massive column of fire made of Urach tuff was ready. The tower originally had an iron flame bowl in which a huge fire burned when it was inaugurated on September 3, 1905. From 1911 onwards, the tower was lit every year for Bismarck's birthday on April 1st.

During the Second World War , the Bismarck Tower was misused as an air space observation and flak tower. Presumably the flame bowl was also removed during this time. The tower survived the war almost unscathed. The tower was closed to the public from 1939 to 1947 and from 1957 to 1983.

1981–1983 the tower was completely renovated. In 2005 the 100th birthday of the Bismarck Tower was celebrated in Neusäß-Steppach.

and display information about the image

View from Augsburg in west direction to the Steppacher Berg with the Bismarck Tower (right half of the picture). In the center of the picture is the tree-lined B 300.

Worth mentioning

The Bismarck Tower in winter with a view of the coat of arms

Every year on New Year's Eve , many people gather around the Bismarck Tower to greet the New Year with champagne and fireworks and a magnificent view of Augsburg .

The eastern slope below the tower is very popular as a toboggan slope. Since the bypass road B 300 , which runs through the slope, was opened many years ago , the toboggan slope has lost about a third of its length. Before the road was built, there was even a small ski lift there.

The tower is open from April 1 to October 31, daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (as of 2019).

A drinking water fountain is available to visitors.

On the first weekend in July there is an annual Bismarck Tower Festival.

Inscription plaque

The tower bears a metal plaque with the following inscription:

THE BISMARCKT TOWER NEAR STEPPACH Built by the architect Heinrich Wilhelm Kreis August 4, 1901 Laying of the foundation stone September 3, 1905 Inauguration in 1958 Tower closed 1981–1983 Renovation by the Augsburg Recreational Area Association (EVA) and the Neusäß community March 26, 1983 Reopening "This column is intended to be a memorial and landmark in his (Otto von Bismarck) immortal work " (Hofrat Gentner, 2nd Mayor of Augsburg, on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone).

gallery

The imperial eagle relief with the Bismarck coat of arms on the east side
The entrance on the west side with an inscription plaque
View from the entrance to the outside
On the right of the picture you can see the drinking water fountain that donates water for visitors
View from the southwest of the entire area.