The Bismarck Tower in Hagen stands on the edge of the large clearing, practically at the highest point of the 265 meter high Goldberg. In honor of the Prussian Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, who died in 1898, monuments and later 240 monumental towers were built across the entire Prussian territory and in the colonies, but also on all continents and other countries. Bismarck columns followed the ideal type of an accessible monument with a combustion system. The 24 meter high Bismarck Column was built in 1901. It follows the student body's design and therefore has distinctive three-quarter columns on every corner. The base forms a multi-tiered plateau, which also compensates for the slope of the embankment towards the city of Hagen. This is followed by the structure with the square viewing platform on the roof. Contrary to its intended purpose, the Hagen example never carried a fire bowl. Instead, the column was illuminated from the outside with fire and carried a flagpole.
After years of disrepair, the support association was founded in 2011 with the purpose of preserving, renovating and making the building accessible. Since 2014 it has been open again to visitors, who can enjoy a wide view from the viewing platform over the valleys of Hagen. Because the view from the clearing in front of the column is severely restricted by dense forest.
(see ruhrgebiet-industriekultur.de)