Bismarckturm Open

On the first Sunday of every month, the Förderverein Bismarckturm e.V. opens the monument atop the heights of Altenkirchen and invites you to enjoy a unique view over the town.

The Bismarckturm stands on the Dorn, a hill with a great view of the district town Altenkirchen. It was built from local rock on the initiative of citizens. The foundation stone was laid on April 1, 1914. World War I prevented the planned inauguration on April 1, 1915 (Bismarck’s 100th birthday). The construction was only completed in 1922 and officially inaugurated on May 21, 1922.

The city of Altenkirchen took over the tower after World War II. The monument was restored in 2009/2010 and has been open to visitors since then.

Members of the association provide information about the tower and the surroundings on site.

Opening hours: 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

You can also arrange a visit outside these times. Contact for visiting the Bismarckturm is any board member of the Förderverein Bismarckturm e.V. Contact email: info@bismarckturm-ak.de

About the History

A landmark is a typical feature or identifying symbol. It characterizes places and towns. This primarily includes distinctive buildings. These buildings, like the Bismarckturm, stand in a special location. The Bismarckturm looks out over the town from the height, the Dorn.

Height 14 meters

Cost 14,000 Marks

Foundation stone laid April 1, 1914 (Bismarck’s 99th birthday)

Inauguration May 21, 1922

Establishment of a Bismarckturm Association

In 1910, a committee of prominent citizens of the town made the following appeal to the public:

"For years, among local Bismarck enthusiasts, the idea has existed to erect a monument here to the greatest German man of modern times, the architect of German unity, the Iron Chancellor. This idea took concrete shape on the occasion of a large national celebration on January 18, 1910, beautifully unified by the following ten associations: Altdeutscher Verband, Flottenverein, Volunteer Fire Department, Veterans’ Association, Naval Association, Men’s Choir, Music Association, Ostmark Association, Shooting Society, Gymnastics Club. With great enthusiasm, the founding of a Bismarck Tower Association (B.T.V.) was decided and significant annual contributions quickly pledged. The plan is to build a modest Bismarck Tower on the Dorn, made from local rock, in keeping with the means of the citizens of Altenkirchen and the surrounding area, worthy of the man it honors, and at the same time a splendid ornament to our cityscape. The tower is to be equipped so that it can serve as a lookout and for lighting Bismarck fires on April 1 each year. We hope to complete the tower by April 1, 1915, the 100th anniversary of Bismarck’s birthday. The goal is ambitious for our resources but not impossible, especially if, as we hope, former Altenkirchen residents who come from our town and have not forgotten it, or who spent happy years here and hold it dear, as well as those who frequently visit our small town in official or professional capacities or have connections to it, support us in this patriotic endeavor."