Rheinturm

The Rheinturm is a telecommunications tower standing on the banks of the Rhine in Düsseldorf. Built between 1979 and 1981, it is 240.5 metres high and weighs 22,500 tons. The tower contains aerials for radio, FM and TV signals. Inside it houses a revolving restaurant and an observation deck at 168 metres. A light sculpture on the tower’s shaft forms the world’s largest digital clock.

The clock, called Lichtzeitpegel, was designed by Horst H. Baumann. It uses six sets of lights to show hours, minutes and seconds from top to bottom. The sculpture was added before 2004 when an aerial antenna increased the tower’s height. The observation deck gives views across the city and the river.

Visitors reach the deck by lift and find a circular platform with floor-to-ceiling windows. The restaurant turns slowly, offering changing views of the skyline. Below, the Rhine flows past the tower while the city’s buildings stretch out in every direction.