93 Altvaterturm near Lehesten
93 Altvaterturm near Lehesten
The 792-meter-high Wetzenstein is the highest elevation in the southeastern Thuringian Forest, located on the Thuringian-Bavarian border.
Until the opening of the border, it was a restricted area.
In 1979, the Bismarck Tower, originally built in 1902, was demolished as a result of construction measures in the area.
The Lehesten Thuringian Forest Association wanted to build a new observation tower, while the Altvaterturm Association had been searching for years for a location for a „new“ Altvaterturm.
The original was constructed between 1904 and 1912 on the Altvater Mountain at an altitude of 1,492 meters above sea level.
In 2004, the faithful reconstruction of the „old“ Altvaterturm was inaugurated.
From a height of over 30 meters, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of up to 50 kilometers over the forests in good weather.
A restaurant invites guests to stop and rest. Since the 13th century, slate, also known as „Blue Gold,“ has been mined around Lehesten.
This led to the creation of the largest open-pit slate quarries in Europe.
Today, the moss- and birch-covered spoil heaps and beautiful lakes form a unique landscape.
Worth seeing are the technical monument „Historic Slate Mining“ and St. Aegidien Church, which features an altar and crucifix made of slate, as well as what is believed to be the largest slate slab ever carved from a single piece, measuring 308 cm in height and 253 cm in width.
Further Information
City of Lehesten, Tourist Information
Obere Marktstraße 1
07349 Lehesten
Tel.: 036653 / 260-0
Fax: 036653 / 260-22