Observation tower on Śnieżnik

The observation tower on Śnieżnik, built between 1895 and 1899 in the style of German Romanticism, was a significant tourist attraction in the Eastern Sudetes. It was constructed on the initiative of the Kłodzko Mountain Society at the summit of Śnieżnik to commemorate Emperor Wilhelm I. Standing 33.55 meters tall, the tower consisted of two cylindrical structures and featured observation platforms. Its design was characterized by intricate stone architectural details, and the interior housed a memorial hall known as the *Hall of Remembrance*, which displayed a bust of the emperor. Although the tower attracted many visitors, it fell into disrepair after World War II. In 1973, it was demolished by order of the authorities—a decision that remains controversial to this day. After years of neglect, plans for its reconstruction were discussed, but none came to fruition until 2021, when construction began on a new tower with a modern design. An interesting historical footnote is that during World War II, the site was used as a meeting point for German spies, and the tower took on various symbolic interpretations, including as a representation of the German-Austrian alliance. In 2021, an exact replica of the original tower was opened in the Czech Republic, highlighting the enduring interest in this historical structure and its legacy.