Did you ever consider the ingenuity of using living trees as structural supports? Here at the Schauinslandturm, that very concept becomes reality. This remarkable tower, also known as the Eugen-Keidel-Turm, stands proudly atop Schauinsland mountain. The Schauinslandturm offers breathtaking panoramic views. The tower itself is an architectural marvel. Its triangular platform rests upon four mighty Douglas fir trees. These trees were harvested from the nearby Freiburg Stadtwald. A steel staircase winds its way up through the center of these living pillars. Eighty-five steps lead to a covered platform roughly 22 meters high. From this vantage point, the southern Upper Rhine Plain stretches out before you. On a clear day, the Vosges Mountains and the Feldberg in the High Black Forest are visible. Even the Swiss Alps can be seen in the distance. The Schauinslandturm was constructed in 1980. It’s named after Eugen Keidel, Freiburg im Breisgau’s mayor from 1962 to 1982. Sadly, the tower has been closed for repairs since July 2022 due to damage discovered in some of the crossbeams. The reopening has been delayed multiple times. Hopefully, soon, visitors will once again ascend the Schauinslandturm. They can enjoy its unique construction and the sweeping vistas it offers. A two-kilometer circular trail from the Schauinslandbahn mountain station leads to the tower. Numerous other hiking paths also converge here. Even without access to the tower itself, the Schauinsland area offers a wealth of natural beauty. It’s a place worth exploring.
Straßenwalze
Picture this a relic of Freiburg’s past. A Straßenwalze a road roller sits before you. Its iron frame speaks of