The viewing platform on the Heppenheimer Steinkopf, which opened on October 14, 2023, offers great views of the surrounding area. Attached is a detailed newspaper article.
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New viewing platform on the Steinkopf in Heppenheim
"Heppenheim. It was a wonderfully beautiful autumn Saturday when a special "flagship project" was presented to the public on the Steinkopf: After around three years of construction with a lot of volunteer work, the new viewing platform was opened there.
The gabions near the ambassador vineyard rise three meters into the air and are filled with local granite and sandstone. Up on the platform you can now sit at three groups of tables, drink a bottle or two of wine you have brought with you, eat a snack and let your gaze wander into the distance. The reward for the steep, sometimes sweaty climb.
Eight gabions are also installed under the viewing level. Lavender, fig and olive trees symbolize that you are in the "Tuscany of the Bergstrasse". Large signs with photos and explanations complete the structure, which is monitored by a camera to To prevent vandalism.
The platform cost a total of around 113,000 euros, financed by a grant from the state of Hesse (35,000 euros) and donations. A lot of volunteer work was also involved. Among other things, 49 tons of gray granite, 27 tons of red granite and 31 tons of sandstone were used. A time capsule with the chronicle of Bergstrasse wine growing, a bottle of 1996 century ice wine, a detailed map of the geopark area and information about the town of Heppenheim was also included.