Joseph Cross (tower)

The Joseph Cross is a steel framework construction with a height of 38 m (125 ft) and a weight of 125 t (125,000 kg), which was built between 20 April 1896 and 9 August 1896.

In the 17th century there was a timber-framed observation tower on the Auerberg that was demolished in 1768 due to disrepair and weather damage.

In 1832, Count Joseph of Stolberg-Stolberg commissioned the Berlin architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel to design a new tower, which a carpenter from Stolberg carried out.

The topping out ceremony of Schinkel's wooden tower, built in the form of a double cross, was celebrated on 24 September 1833.

In the 20th century, the cross fell into ruin until it was closed to visitors in 1987 due its state of disrepair.