Berger Monument on the Hohenstein

The 20-meter-high observation tower on the Hohenstein, situated 130 meters above the Ruhr River, offers a breathtaking view of a picturesque stretch of the river between Wetter and Witten. The monument, made of Ruhr sandstone, honors Louis Berger, a prominent entrepreneur and politician of the Industrial Age. Louis Berger (1829–1891) was not only the son-in-law of the well-known entrepreneur Friedrich Harkort, but also made a name for himself as an independent industrialist and politician. His father, Karl Berger, a pioneer in mining and the iron and steel industry, founded a cast steel factory in Witten in 1854, which grew under Louis’s leadership to become one of the leading companies in the Ruhr region. The high quality of Berger’s cast steel played a central role in the Prussian needle-fire rifle and the Krupp cannons. From 1865 to 1881, Berger served as a representative in the Prussian House of Representatives and the Reichstag, where he championed mining, industry, and social issues. The ascent to the observation deck is via a spiral staircase inside the tower, from which breathtaking views of the Ruhrtal, the Hohenstein hydroelectric power plant, and the Nachtigall coal mine can be enjoyed. The surrounding parks are a popular destination for those seeking relaxation, offering opportunities for hiking, biking, and jogging. Families especially appreciate the nearby petting zoo and the wildlife enclosure with black deer and fallow deer.