- free of charge / accessible at any time
Berger monument on the Hohenstein
Viewpoint/viewing tower | Excursion destinations
The striking Berger monument made of Ruhr sandstone was erected in 1903 in honor of the Witten industrialist and Reichstag politician Louis Berger (1829-1891).
Address
Berger monument on the Hohenstein
Hohenstein
58453 Witten
Properties:
The 20-metre-high observation tower is located on the eastern slope of the Hohenstein 130 meters above the Ruhr, on a particularly beautifully situated section of the river between Wetter and Witten. The Ruhr sandstone monument commemorates one of Witten's most important entrepreneurs and politicians of early industrialization: Louis Berger.
Louis Berger (1829-1891) was not only the son-in-law and biographer of entrepreneur Friedrich Harkort, but also made a name for himself as an industrialist and politician. His father, Karl Berger, was already regarded as a pioneer of mining and ironworks. He founded a cast steel factory in Witten in 1854, which developed into one of the first major industrial companies in the Ruhr under the management of his son. What's more, the quality of Berger's cast steel was the "basis" of the Prussian firing pin rifle and Krupp's gun barrels. Berger was also a member of the Prussian House of Representatives from 1865 and a member of the Reichstag from 1874 to 1881. There, too, he devoted himself to the areas of mining and industry, but also specifically to general social issues. Among other things, Berger was a co-founder and supporter of the Witten gymnastics community, at whose suggestion the monument on Hohenstein was erected in 1902 - very much in the spirit of the turn of the century.
A spiral staircase inside the tower leads to the viewing platform. From here, visitors can enjoy a wonderful view over the Ruhrtal valley, the Hohenstein hydroelectric power station and the elongated railroad viaduct all the way to the Nachtigall colliery in the Muttental valley. The adjoining parks on the Hohenstein have always been a popular excursion destination. Hiking and walking are just as possible here as cycling or jogging. The petting zoo and the Hohenstein game reserve with black and fallow deer are also particularly popular with families.
The mountain monument is currently closed and the viewing platform in the tower cannot be visited.
Louis Berger (1829-1891) was not only the son-in-law and biographer of entrepreneur Friedrich Harkort, but also made a name for himself as an industrialist and politician. His father, Karl Berger, was already regarded as a pioneer of mining and ironworks. He founded a cast steel factory in Witten in 1854, which developed into one of the first major industrial companies in the Ruhr under the management of his son. What's more, the quality of Berger's cast steel was the "basis" of the Prussian firing pin rifle and Krupp's gun barrels. Berger was also a member of the Prussian House of Representatives from 1865 and a member of the Reichstag from 1874 to 1881. There, too, he devoted himself to the areas of mining and industry, but also specifically to general social issues. Among other things, Berger was a co-founder and supporter of the Witten gymnastics community, at whose suggestion the monument on Hohenstein was erected in 1902 - very much in the spirit of the turn of the century.
A spiral staircase inside the tower leads to the viewing platform. From here, visitors can enjoy a wonderful view over the Ruhrtal valley, the Hohenstein hydroelectric power station and the elongated railroad viaduct all the way to the Nachtigall colliery in the Muttental valley. The adjoining parks on the Hohenstein have always been a popular excursion destination. Hiking and walking are just as possible here as cycling or jogging. The petting zoo and the Hohenstein game reserve with black and fallow deer are also particularly popular with families.
The mountain monument is currently closed and the viewing platform in the tower cannot be visited.