Erected atop the Mechtenberg, the Bismarckturm Essen stands as a stout testament to Otto von Bismarck. This monument commemorates one of the most influential figures in 19th-century European history. He served as Prime Minister of Prussia and the first Chancellor of the German Empire.
Now, look closely at the tower’s construction. The Bismarckturm Essen is not just a tower. It is a “Feuersäule” or fire column. It stands 16.75 meters tall. Its primary material is basalt lava.
Imagine this back in 1898. Emil Kirdorf, head of the Bismarck-Vereins, proposed a fire tower. Kirdorf wanted to honor Bismarck. Spurred on by the Deutsche Studentenschaft’s call, donations poured in from Essen’s neighboring cities.
By March 20, 1900, they had collected 29,300 marks. After land costs, about 22,000 marks remained. This sum was dedicated to erecting the planned fire column.
The location was carefully chosen. The Mechtenberg in Kray was selected. It provided visibility from afar. Heinrich Tscharmann, an architect from Dresden, designed it. He had designed a similar Bismarck tower in Keilhau.
The Bismarckturm Essen’s construction progressed rapidly. H. Timmermann, a contractor from Gelsenkirchen, executed the construction. Wilhelm Ecke from Wattenscheid oversaw the building.
The tower’s design is striking. It features a square base and obelisk-like shape. It is divided into five architectural elements.
The base begins with a 0.30-meter-high plinth. The lower tower shaft measures 5.45 x 5.45 meters. It tapers at 1.85 meters. The lower middle section is a cube with a Zinnenfries.
Above, the tower tapers again. A Zinnenfries crowns the upper middle section. At the top, a three-tiered head supports the round fire bowl.
Look for the inscriptions. The word “BISMARCK” is carved on the front and back. It was once highlighted in golden paint. A wrought-iron Bismarck coat of arms once adorned the north side.
The copper fire bowl was three meters in diameter. It cost 1,600 marks. A pump delivered thin benzol residues through a pipe. This fuel fed the flames.
The Bismarckturm Essen was inaugurated on July 29, 1900. Representatives from local authorities attended. The ceremony included music and speeches. Emil Kirdorf gave the dedication speech. The tower became property of the Bismarck-Verein Gelsenkirchen.
The first lighting took place on July 30, 1900. This date marked the second anniversary of Bismarck’s death. Although further dates are unclear, records mention flames on January 26, 1903, March 31, 1915, and March 31, 1917.
Since July 10, 1986, the Bismarckturm Essen has been a protected monument. Today, the fire bowl, Bismarck coat of arms, and caretaker’s house are gone. The golden letters have faded.
However, the Bismarckturm Essen remains a landmark. Since 1997, it has been a destination for a Good Friday procession. In 2010, benches were added around the tower.
Though graffiti marred it in 2024, its historical importance persists. Smaller trees even grew on the tower. The Bismarckturm Essen stands at the intersection of Essen, Bochum, and Gelsenkirchen. It was part of the “Two Mountains – One Cultural Landscape” project.
As you stand here, remember its history. The Bismarckturm Essen serves as a stoic reminder. It is a testament to Bismarck’s complex legacy.