The Wachtelberg Tower – origins and preservation
The Bismarck myth – the Bismarck cult
At the end of the 19th century, the veneration of Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898) became a veritable cult. As the founder of German unity in 1871, the first Chancellor of the Reich is admired as the creator of the German Empire. Monuments are erected in his honor, honorary citizenships are awarded, squares, streets, schools or oak trees are named after him, medals and plaques are issued and even mugs, pipe bowls or beer glasses are designed with his portrait. The so-called “memorial kitsch” enjoys great popularity and is collected in large numbers.
The idea of the Bismarck columns
The idea for the erection of Bismarck Columns came from German students under the leadership of the Bonn student fraternity. Even during the Iron Chancellor’s lifetime, they organize numerous tributes in his presence. Following a meeting of the German Students Union, the association of the general student committees of all German universities, cities and communities are called upon to erect Bismarck pillars or towers. The pillars are intended to proclaim the strength and greatness of the fatherland. From 1898, numerous tower building associations or Bismarck committees were founded in many cities. An architectural competition is held for a design proposal. All German architects were invited to submit a tower design, which was to be erected on a raised surface, have a place to light a fire on top and be made of a weather-resistant, local material. From the 317 submissions, the jury selected the design “Götterdämmerung” by the young Dresden architect Wilhelm Kreis (1873-1955). At this time, 410 Bismarck Towers were already planned: 47 of the 243 towers erected were built according to Kreis‘ design. In most cases, they were not designed as simple columns, but as observation towers with a firing installation.
The construction of the Wurzen Bismarck Tower
In Wurzen, the idea of building a Bismarck Tower came rather late in comparison to other German towns. It also took quite a long time from the idea to its realization: as early as 1901, the landowner Friedrich Voigtmann from Dehnitz ceded a piece of his property on the Wachtelberg for the construction of a Bismarck Tower. A committee for the planning and implementation was founded under the chairmanship of Wurzen city councillor and industrialist Richard Klinkhardt. With the help of donations from events, musical and other performances, the sale of postcards, collecting tins in all the town’s stores and finally a lottery, attempts were made to raise the necessary sum for the construction. Nevertheless, the foundation stone was not laid until July 30, 1908, with the tower designed by Düsseldorf architect Prof. Kreiss. Lüptitz porphyry was chosen as the material, which was extracted from August Busse’s quarries. All the craftsmen involved were from the surrounding area. The inauguration of the tower was celebrated with a torchlight procession on April 1, 1909.
Use and preservation since 1945
After its opening until the end of the Second World War, the tower was accessible as an observation tower. In the last days of the war, several bullets hit the building, creating large holes in the wall. These were provisionally sealed around 1950. In 1964, Klaus Zeibig took on the responsibility for the tower and prevented it from being blown up twice. Together with a few helpers, he cleared the tower of rubble and dirt, secured the staircase and bricked up the holes. It was not until 1975 that the tower underwent extensive repairs, including the installation of a new staircase with two platforms. Instead of the original fire basin, the top now consists of a glazed viewing dome. The tower has been open to visitors again since 1984.
Captions
- Postcard of the Bismarck Tower near Leipzig, around 1910, Herman Ilgen Collection, © Kulturhistorisches Museum Wurzen
- Design illustration „Götterdämmerung“ © Jörg Bielefeld
- Postcard for the fundraising campaign, 1902 © Kulturhistorisches Museum Wurzen
- Postkarte Bismarck-Tower © Kulturhistorisches Museum Wurzen
- Postkarte Bismarck Tower, 1969 © Kulturhistorisches Museum Wurzen