Hangover tower
The Katerturm in Saarlouis is a flag and observation tower that was initially only to exist for a short time. Its weather vane has the shape of a black cat, after which the tower is named. Why this figure was chosen is unknown.
history
In the summer of 1955, the 16th International Rally of the Fédération Internationale de Camping et de Caravaning (FICC) took place. On this occasion, 4037 campers from 20 nations stayed in around 200 caravans and 1000 tents in Saarlouis' city garden. The motto of the event was Nous venons de l'Europe, nous restons en Europe (“We come from Europe, we stay in Europe”). The meeting was used in the run-up to the referendum on the Saar Statute , which was to be decided on in the same year, to promote the European idea.
An exchange office and restaurant have been set up for the convenience of the participants; the rally management also needed an office and reception rooms. These facilities were housed in a building that was adorned by the archway that is still preserved today, together with the ten-meter high hangover tower. In contrast to the mobile accommodations of the guests, these buildings were made of light-colored natural stone and had a certain resemblance to a medieval castle. The construction time was only 50 days.
While the other buildings were demolished after the event as planned, the archway and flag tower survived the next decades. A restaurant was set up later.
In 1966, the Saarlouis Boule Club was founded in the Katerturm restaurant, which still existed at the time . This was the first boules club in Saarland and the second in Germany.
In 2001, it was decided to renovate the tower in the course of the city garden renovation and in 2007/08 the building was renovated and equipped with floor spotlights at a cost of around 60,000 euros. The old Eternit roof in the area of the gate was replaced by a zinc cover and the glazed exit lantern was rebuilt according to the old pattern. The stone facade was cleaned and the steel reinforcement was repaired; Furthermore, a new floor was laid inside the tower.
The Katerturm, which stands next to the Saarlouis swimming pool, can be viewed as part of a city tour.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Schwarzer Kater turns in the wind ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Article in the Saarbrücker Zeitung from September 15, 2009.
- ↑ a b Good view from and for the Katerturm Article on Saar Report from February 28, 2008
- ↑ Boulesport in Saarland ( Memento of the original from January 18, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Overview on the website of the Pétanque Freunde Saarbrücken eV, accessed on April 20, 2010
- ↑ Katerturm Saarlouis ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Posting on www.vucafe.org
Coordinates: 49 ° 19 ′ 12 " N , 6 ° 44 ′ 42.5" E