Luitpold Tower

Luitpold Tower is perched on the third highest hill in the Palatinate Forest, Weißenberg, which is 610 metres above sea level and located in the municipality of Merzalben. Enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the Palatinate Forest Nature Park from the tower reaching a height of 30 metres; its viewing terrace can be reached by climbing 184 steps. .

In 1907, poet Fritz Claus, from the Palatinate Forest, came up with the idea of erecting a square tower in honour of Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria (1821–1912). The new Palatinate Forest Club, one of whose founders was Fritz Claus, was heavily involved in the planning of the tower and following substantial financial support from the Prince Regent, who also became a sponsor, construction began in the same year with local red sandstone. Following a construction period of 15 months, the tower was inaugurated on 26 September 1909. For a long time, the vestibule of the tower acted as a shelter for hikers and forest workers.

When the weather is good, you can look out from the viewing platform of Luitpold Tower to the Rhine Valley, across to neighbouring France, Alsace and the Vosges mountains. In the north, you can see the sweeping ridge of the Donnersberg. Since July 2002, 12 orientation plaques have been placed on the platform to indicate the location of prominent destinations. Many hiking trails intersect here and the most famous PWV (Palatinate Forest Club) marking in the Gräfenstein region, the blue and white streak, as well as the Palatinate Forest Trail ("Pfälzerwald Pfad"), pass through here.

Open from