Perched on the summit of Löbauer Berg stands something genuinely unique — a 28-metre observation tower cast almost entirely from iron. It's the only surviving structure of its kind in Europe, built in 1854 from around a thousand cast-iron pieces, its delicate, lace-like form echoing Moorish architecture. The view from the top is every bit as remarkable as the tower's story.

The tower rises above the forests surrounding the town of Löbau, and from its upper platform at roughly 24 metres you get panoramic views stretching to the Zittau Mountains and across large parts of Upper Lusatia. Two open galleries at different heights let you look out over the neighbouring Schafberg and the town of Löbau itself, whose landmark this tower has become. In spring and summer the surrounding woods form a green sea below, autumn paints them gold, and on clear winter days the views can be at their sharpest. The tower's interior, filled with sunlight filtering through the ornate cast-iron walls, is an attraction in itself — climbing the 116-step spiral staircase feels like stepping into a remarkable piece of 19th-century engineering.

How to get there

• Löbau (town centre) — trail up Löbauer Berg, approx. 30–45 min, easy difficulty
• Parking at the base of the hill — short walk through forest paths, suitable also for casual visitors

Practical information

• Tower height: 28 m, viewing platform at approx. 24 m
• 116 spiral steps lead to the top
• Two open viewing galleries at 12 m and 18 m height
• An inn (Turmwirtschaft) has operated beside the tower since 1854
• Listed as a protected technical monument

The tower was funded by local baker Friedrich August Bretschneider, whose motto 'the further the view, the freer the heart' still captures the spirit of the place today.