Von-der-Heydt-Tower

The Von-der-Heydt-Turm is an observation tower standing 20 metres tall on the Kiesberg hill south of the Wupper river in Wuppertal’s Elberfeld-West district. It rises at 274 metres above sea level on the Königshöhe ridge, offering wide views over the valley. The tower was built in 1892 from donations raised by August Freiherr von der Heydt, a local banker, and named in his honour. Designed by city building inspector Schaumann in the German Renaissance style, it was completed for 10,000 Marks. The structure once bore a bronze plaque commemorating the von der Heydt family, but this was stolen during the Second World War. In 2013 a new information stele was installed beside the tower, explaining its history and significance. Although the tower itself is no longer open to visitors because of structural defects, the surrounding hill remains a popular walking spot. Paths wind through the wooded slopes of the Kiesberg, leading to clearings where the city’s skyline can be seen through the trees. The ridge is part of a larger green space that stretches along the river, providing quiet places to rest. Visitors can still reach the base of the tower and read the story told on the modern stele. From here the valley below and the hills beyond form a broad, open landscape.