Mannheim TV Tower — Elegant Views From Skyline Mannheim

Look! It’s the Odenwald. No, it’s the Palatinate Forest. It’s the Odenwald again. There goes the Palatinate Forest again. There it went.

Dizzy yet? I hope not. But, from atop the Mannheim TV Tower near the center of Mannheim that’s the view you’re going to get from both its observation tower and revolving Restaurant Skyline Mannheim.

Sounds nice, doesn’t it?

Notice that it’s actually a telecommunications tower, not a TV tower. That’s because it doesn’t transmit television signals but microwave and radio signals across this part of Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate. However, I hope you don’t mind me still lovely calling it the Mannheim TV Tower and respectfully place it among other TV Towers in Germany.

When the Fernmeldeturm Mannheim, as it’s called in German, was commissioned to be built back in the early 1970’s (its foundation was laid on April 10, 1973) architects and engineers (both Erwin Heinle and Fritz Leonhard of the Stuttgart TV Tower fame) were looking for the perfect spot. It was found right near the Luisenpark, right off the historic city center and along the Mannheim-Heidelberg rail line (all aboard!).

Don’t you just love it when these attractions are so easily accessible? Yeah, I do too.

The Mannheim Telecommunication Tower was completed on May 26, 1975 with a total height just shy of 205 meters (204.9 meters to be exact).

Less than 20 years later a helicopter smashed into the tower, causing the antenna to fall. After repairing this 18 thousand ton concrete and steel structure, its final height was increased to 218.8 meters. From the 166 meter height to the tip was painted a cautionary red and white, as well as equipped with aviation safety lights.

At the base of the tower is a memorial plaque in memory of those died on that fateful night.

Sorry, you won’t get to that height since its revolving Skyline Restaurant sits only at the 124 meter height. But, its views of the Palatinate Forest and Odenwald are striking (is that the Heidelberg Castle I see?). Seventy thousand visitors to the restaurant alone couldn’t be wrong, could they? That’s not even including the tens of thousands of other visitors who come just to look out the observation deck.

Four meters below the Skyline Mannheim restaurant is the telecommunication tower’s observation deck. At 120 meters it is the “least highest” of its kind (that’s just a nice way of saying there are other observation decks that aren’t as low) even though it is one of the tallest TV Towers in Germany.

It’s all right though, once you’ve taken its two elevators (traveling at 6 meters per second) to see the countryside, all will be forgiven.

There are even restrooms in the tower’s public areas, just in case you need them once you’ve gotten up there.

It’s hard to go from the spectacular view of the Odenwald to the nitty-gritty aspect of the tower. But, it needs to be told. Otherwise no one would be able to sit and eat, or walk around the aluminum tower basket. Right?

The widest point of the tower is its base, which is 27 meters in diameter. You won’t see it, of course, it’s below the ground. The widest part of it that you can see is 13 meters in diameter.

Some people thought these television (or telecommunication) towers were just horrid monstrosities. But, after getting to know them many have softened their stance. These towers are remarkable testaments to German engineering, aren’t they?

Not to mention, they offer some of the best views in Germany (if not in Europe). But, how many times do I have to tell you I’m a tad bit biased? One look from the top of this tower and you will be too, I can tell you that much. ;-)