Located in the Arkoński Forest Park, Arkony Hill is 70.3 m above sea level. a natural hill now covered with forest. This area was tidied up at the beginning of the 20th century. At that time, walking paths were marked out on the hill, garden greenery was planted, and an observation tower called the Quistorpa Tower was built on the top. The 45 m high (with a 52 m mast) building funded by Martin Quistorp, an entrepreneur and industrialist from Szczecin, was intended to commemorate his father Johannes. He was also a Szczecin entrepreneur, but above all a founder of many philanthropic undertakings. The tower was also intended to advertise building materials from his factories. The ceremonial opening of the tower took place on May 14, 1904. Since then, the hill with the tower has become one of the most popular attractions in Szczecin. The building itself consisted of nine floors, on its ground floor there was a cafe, and three observation decks were located above (including the one on the top with a view of the area). During the Second World War, an air defense observation point was placed in the tower. At the end of the war, the tower was destroyed, according to one version it was bombed by the allies in 1944, in another it was blown up by the Germans themselves, preparing to defend the city in 1945. After the war, the tower was not rebuilt, and the park complex was gradually devastated, turning into the forest. To this day, the ruins of the lowest storey of the tower have survived on the hill, as well as the nearby entrance to the bunker, covered with earth. Many bicycle paths with signs of enduro and downhill start from the hill.
Translated by Google •
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