The world's first Bismarck tower was erected by private initiative in 1869 in the village of Ober-Johnsdorf, Silesia, then part of Prussia (today Janówek, Wrocław County, Poland). It stands on top of the hill now called Jańska Góra (German: Johnsberg), 253 m above sea level. The tower itself is 23 m in height.
First Bismarck Tower in Janówek, Poland (formerly Ober-Johnsdorf, Lower Silesia, Germany), built in 1869
The idea of erecting a monument to Otto von Bismarck had been mooted as far back as 1863 by retired Prussian officer Friedrich Schröter (1820–1888), a wealthy landowner in nearby Wättrisch and an admirer of the Iron Chancellor. Following the Prussian victories in the Second Schleswig War (1864) and the Seven Weeks War (1866), Schröter then set about realising his plans. A site was picked for construction of the tower: the south face of Johnsberg Hill near the neighbouring village of Ober-Johnsdorf, part of which was owned by Schröter (1,100 acres).
Construction began on 15 April 1869, carried out by master mason Bernhardt from Nimptsch under the supervision of a foreman named Rademacher. Serpentine from a local quarry was used as construction material, as well as granite, sandstone and brickwork. Total cost of construction was 18,000 marks.
The tower was inaugurated on 18 October 1869. Over the entrance were inscribed in golden letters the words "IN HONOUR OF BISMARCK - 1869". The ground floor housed two marble slabs, one commemorating the wars of 1864 and 1866, the other the unification of Germany in 1870.
The following year the tower and its surrounding park was opened to the public. The keys to the tower could be rented from the owner in Wättrisch. It was used as an observation deck and recreational centre; in 1910 there was even a wooden pavilion.
Contemporary situationedit
During World War II, the lower part of the tower sustained damage from an artillery shell. Following Germany's surrender, almost all of Silesia was transferred to Poland in accordance with the Potsdam Agreement. The German inhabitants were expelled and the village was renamed Janówek.
The tower was largely neglected from 1945 onwards. In May 1992, the marble slabs were removed and all references to Bismarck were erased. By August 2002 the tower was in ruins, although it was still possible to ascend the stairs to the central chamber.
The structure is currently in severe need of restoration, and is mostly obscured by the surrounding trees. It was listed as a protected building by the Polish authorities in June 2003.
External linksedit
Bismarck tower in Ober-Johnsdorf (Janówek) (in German) 2018-05-04 at the Wayback Machine
Bismarck tower in Janówek (in Polish) 2012-07-09 at the Wayback Machine
bismarck, tower, janówek, world, first, bismarck, tower, erected, private, initiative, 1869, village, ober, johnsdorf, silesia, then, part, prussia, today, janówek, wrocław, county, poland, stands, hill, called, jańska, góra, german, johnsberg, above, level, t. The world s first Bismarck tower was erected by private initiative in 1869 in the village of Ober Johnsdorf Silesia then part of Prussia today Janowek Wroclaw County Poland It stands on top of the hill now called Janska Gora German Johnsberg 253 m above sea level The tower itself is 23 m in height First Bismarck Tower in Janowek Poland formerly Ober Johnsdorf Lower Silesia Germany built in 1869 This article does not cite any sources Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Bismarck Tower Janowek news newspapers books scholar JSTOR November 2021 Learn how and when to remove this message History editThe idea of erecting a monument to Otto von Bismarck had been mooted as far back as 1863 by retired Prussian officer Friedrich Schroter 1820 1888 a wealthy landowner in nearby Wattrisch and an admirer of the Iron Chancellor Following the Prussian victories in the Second Schleswig War 1864 and the Seven Weeks War 1866 Schroter then set about realising his plans A site was picked for construction of the tower the south face of Johnsberg Hill near the neighbouring village of Ober Johnsdorf part of which was owned by Schroter 1 100 acres Construction began on 15 April 1869 carried out by master mason Bernhardt from Nimptsch under the supervision of a foreman named Rademacher Serpentine from a local quarry was used as construction material as well as granite sandstone and brickwork Total cost of construction was 18 000 marks The tower was inaugurated on 18 October 1869 Over the entrance were inscribed in golden letters the words IN HONOUR OF BISMARCK 1869 The ground floor housed two marble slabs one commemorating the wars of 1864 and 1866 the other the unification of Germany in 1870 The following year the tower and its surrounding park was opened to the public The keys to the tower could be rented from the owner in Wattrisch It was used as an observation deck and recreational centre in 1910 there was even a wooden pavilion Contemporary situation editDuring World War II the lower part of the tower sustained damage from an artillery shell Following Germany s surrender almost all of Silesia was transferred to Poland in accordance with the Potsdam Agreement The German inhabitants were expelled and the village was renamed Janowek The tower was largely neglected from 1945 onwards In May 1992 the marble slabs were removed and all references to Bismarck were erased By August 2002 the tower was in ruins although it was still possible to ascend the stairs to the central chamber The structure is currently in severe need of restoration and is mostly obscured by the surrounding trees It was listed as a protected building by the Polish authorities in June 2003 External links editBismarck tower in Ober Johnsdorf Janowek in German Archived 2018 05 04 at the Wayback Machine Bismarck tower in Janowek in Polish Archived 2012 07 09 at the Wayback Machine 50 49 59 N 16 50 03 E 50 833184 N 16 834031 E 50 833184 16 834031 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bismarck Tower Janowek amp oldid 1180013567, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
