Spremberger Tower | Cottbus

Information

Landmark: Spremberger Tower
City: Cottbus
Country: Germany
Continent: Europe

Spremberger Tower, Cottbus, Germany, Europe

Spremberger Tower (Spremberger Turm) is located in Cottbus. It is approximately 115 km (71 miles) north of Dresden, roughly a 90-minute drive or train journey.

Visual Characteristics

The tower is a 31-meter-tall brick cylindrical structure topped with a distinctive crenelated battlement and a smaller octagonal turret. It is constructed from dark red-brown brick and serves as the southern anchor of the historic Old Town.

Location & Access Logistics

Address: Spremberger Straße 21, 03046 Cottbus, Germany.

Transit: 10-minute walk from Cottbus Hauptbahnhof.

Hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (April to October); 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (November to March).

Admission: Approximately €2.00 for the viewing platform.

Historical Origin

The base of the tower dates to the 13th century, originally forming part of the city's defensive fortifications. The upper sections were reconstructed in 1823–1825 by architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel, who gave it its current Gothic Revival appearance. It survived WWII largely intact and underwent a major renovation in 2000.

Key Highlights & Activities

Viewing Platform: Offers 360-degree views of Cottbus, the Spree river valley, and the nearby Jänschwalde power station.

Architecture: Observation of the medieval lower stone layers contrasted with Schinkel's 19th-century brickwork.

Shopping Street: The tower marks the start of the Spremberger Straße, the city's primary pedestrian shopping boulevard.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The tower is located in a high-density pedestrian zone. Access to the platform is via a steep, narrow staircase; it is not wheelchair accessible. Public facilities and dining options are located immediately adjacent in the Old Town. 5G signal is robust.

Best Time to Visit

Late Afternoon: For photography of the Old Town skyline as the sun sets over the Spreewald region.

Clear Days: For maximum visibility toward the Lusatian lignite mines.

Facts & Legends

A technical oddity is that the tower's walls are nearly 2 meters thick at the base to support the weight of the medieval defensive systems. Legend states that the "Tower Ghost" (Turmgeist) protects the city from invaders, and his face is said to be visible in the patterns of the brickwork during particularly foggy nights.