Renovation work on the Bismarck Tower

After years of inaccessibility and urgent structural defects, the tower, which was built in 1914/1915, is now being comprehensively upgraded as part of a long-term project to preserve the listed building for future generations.

The first construction phase, which is expected to take ten to twelve weeks, involves demanding work on the interior and exterior of the tower. Work platforms have already been installed in the Otto von Bismarck Memorial Room and scaffolding has been erected throughout the interior of the tower. The dismantling of the Rabitz vaulted ceiling, including the old supporting structure, is underway; a new stainless steel structure will then be installed. In the shaft of the tower, the interior plaster is being removed to enable professional renovation. Scaffolding has been erected in the basement area to renovate the simple iron joists there. The damaged external staircase will also be replaced; as a precautionary measure, two steps were removed to examine the support situation of the surrounding granite staircase.

"We have been advised by the Bavarian State Trade Institute in Nuremberg and have commissioned selected specialist companies that have the necessary expertise for this monument," explains Dr. Stephan Gleim, Chief Building Director of the City of Hof. "On March 26, 2025, we were able to successfully start the first of three construction phases."

Mayor Eva Döhla emphasizes: " The start of the renovation work was only possible thanks to the great commitment of our citizens and the support of numerous sponsors. My special thanks go to city curator Leo Reichel, who has been acquiring private donations on a voluntary basis since 2020. Thanks to these donations totaling 252,800 euros and the generous grants of 350,000 euros from the Upper Franconia Foundation, the Bavarian State Foundation, the Viessmann Foundation and the State Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments, we can now implement this important project."

City curator Leo Reichel praises the generosity of Hof's donors, many of whom wish to remain unnamed. He extends special thanks to building director Stephan Gleim, city treasurer Peter Fischer and the chairwoman of the Hermann and Bertl Müller Foundation Dr. Gisela Strunz: "These three have helped quietly but all the more energetically from the very beginning."

The Bismarck Tower in Hof has been closed since 2010 due to structural defects and is considered to be in urgent need of renovation. The main problem lies in the moisture penetrating the structure due to rain and insufficient ventilation. The damaged joints in the granite wall were last repaired several decades ago. The persistent moisture has severely damaged the interior plaster and is having a negative impact on the steel supporting structures and the interior masonry. The aim of the renovation is to secure the building in the long term and restore the original structure.

The planned renovation period extends over three construction phases with a total duration of around four to five years. The first phase focuses on the renovation of the first floor and the foundation areas.

The Bismarck Tower is a unique regional monument that stands out not only because of its construction, but also because of its history and architectural features. It was deliberately planned differently from the standard design by Dresden architect Wilhelm Kreis and is therefore a unique work.

Interested members of the public may have the opportunity to see the construction progress for themselves as early as September: Depending on the renovation and safety situation in the tower at that time, there could be guided tours for small groups as part of the Open Monument Day on Sunday, September 14, 2025.

"Our aim is to make the Bismarck Tower accessible to the public again and to preserve the historical significance of this building," concludes Mayor Döhla.