Fernsehturm Stuttgart Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Fernsehturm Stuttgart

General information
Status	Complete
Type	Telecommunications Observation tower
Architectural style	Modernism
Location	Jahnstraße 120 Stuttgart, Germany
Coordinates	48°45′21″N 9°11′25″E / 48.755757°N 9.190172°E / 48.755757; 9.190172
Construction started	10 January 1954
Completed	5 February 1956
Renovated	1965
Cost	4.2 million DM (1956) ~10 million Euro (2021)
Owner	Süddeutscher Rundfunk
Height
Antenna spire	216.61 m (710.7 ft)
Design and construction
Architect	Heinle, Wischer and Partner
Engineer	Fritz Leonhardt
Main contractor	G. Epple Wayss & Freytag

The Fernsehturm Stuttgart (which means Stuttgart TV Tower in English) is a very tall telecommunications tower in Stuttgart, Germany. It stands about 216.61 m (710.7 ft) high. This tower was the first of its kind in the world to be built using reinforced concrete. It became a model for many similar towers around the globe. Even though some people didn't like it at first, it quickly became a famous landmark in Stuttgart and a popular place for tourists to visit.

Where is the Stuttgart TV Tower?
How the Stuttgart TV Tower Was Built
Tower Facts and Figures
What the Tower Broadcasts Today
Special Lights for Air Traffic
Visiting the Tower
Gallery
See also

Where is the Stuttgart TV Tower?

The tower is located on a hill called Hoher Bopser. This hill is about 483 meters (1,585 feet) above sea level. It's in the southern part of Stuttgart, in an area called Degerloch.

From the tower's observation decks, you can see amazing views. You can look out over Stuttgart, its forests, and vineyards. On clear days, you might even see the Swabian Jura mountains and the Black Forest.

Close to the tower is the Waldau-Stadion, a sports stadium. People often say games there are played "under the TV tower" because it's so close.

How the Stuttgart TV Tower Was Built

Building the tower caused some debate at first. Some people worried about the new way it was being built and how much it would cost. A simpler antenna would have been much cheaper.

Construction started on January 10, 1954, and took 20 months to finish. This made it the very first telecom tower in the world made from reinforced concrete. The tower cost 4.2 million German Marks (DM) to build. But it was so popular that the money earned from visitors paid back the building cost within just five years!

The tower officially opened on February 5, 1956. It was opened by a broadcasting company called Süddeutscher Rundfunk. Later, in May 1965, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom even visited the tower during her trip to Germany.

The tower got even taller between October and December 1965. Its antenna was extended, reaching its current height of 216.61 m (710.7 ft).

Tower Facts and Figures

Here are some interesting facts about the Stuttgart TV Tower:

Engineer: Fritz Leonhardt designed the tower.
Height above sea level: The base of the tower is 483 m (1,585 ft) above sea level.
Total height: The tower reaches 216.8 m (711 ft) to the top of its antenna.
Observation decks: There are two decks for visitors. The upper one is at 153.5 m (504 ft), and the lower one is at 150 m (490 ft).
Foundation: The base of the tower is 27 m (89 ft) wide.
Weight: The tower weighs about 3,000 tons. Its foundation alone weighs about 1,500 tons.
Elevator speed: The elevators can travel at 5 m/s (16 ft/s), which is quite fast!
Tower basket: The widest part of the tower, where the observation decks and café are, is 15 m (49 ft) across.
Panorama Café: There's a café located on one of the tower's platforms.

What the Tower Broadcasts Today

Even though it's still called Fernsehturm (TV Tower), it mostly broadcasts public FM radio stations now. The tower used to broadcast the ARD TV network's older, analogue TV service. But that stopped in 2006.

Digital television services have moved to a different tower nearby. This other tower is called Fernmeldeturm Stuttgart. It also broadcasts private FM radio stations in the area.

Special Lights for Air Traffic

Besides the usual red warning lights for airplanes, the tower has something special. Just above the observation deck, it has three spinning xenon lamps. These lights are similar to the powerful lights used in lighthouses. They help aircraft see the tower, especially at night.

Visiting the Tower

The tower was closed to visitors on March 27, 2013. This was because new fire safety rules needed to be checked and updated. After some important changes and improvements, the tower reopened on January 30, 2016. It now has a new entrance, a shop, and improved fire safety features to keep everyone safe.