Schänzel Tower

The Schänzel Tower is a 13-metre-high viewing tower on the Steigerkopf near Edenkoben in the county of Südliche Weinstraße in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. It was built in 1874 and is the highest-located tower in the mountain range of the Palatinate Forest.LocationThe tower is located in the east of the Palatinate Forest, within the nature park itself, on the Steigerkopf, whose summit, including the tower site, belongs to an exclave of the municipality of Gommersheim.ArchitectureThe octagonal tower is 13 metres high and was built of hewn bunter sandstone. The body of the structure is in two parts. The massive lower section has a perron that leads to a platform about 5 metres above the ground. Inside the narrower upper section of the tower, which is accessed from the platform from a door and has narrow, embrasure-like windows, is an internal staircase. The observation platform on the roof of the tower is protected by railings. Depending on the height of the surrounding trees, the views may be restricted.HistoryThe Schänzel Tower was erected in 1874 a result of Germany's nationalistic fervour after her victory in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71. In 1894 it was dedicated to a battle on the 100th day of the year...