A breathtaking view over the middle Ilm valley

The Paulin Tower, Bad Berka's landmark, can be seen from afar on the 416-metre-high Adelsberg above the rooftops of the town. After climbing 143 steps, you reach the viewing platform, from where you have a breathtaking view over the Middle Ilm Valley nature reserve.

The 26-metre-high limestone tower was built in 1884 and named after the then Hereditary Grand Duchess Pauline of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. Carl Zeiss, who often stayed here as a hiker during this time, donated a telescope for the Pauline Tower.

The southern view

South of Bad Berka, the view sweeps towards Tannroda and Kranichfeld as well as the wooded neighboring mountains, such as:

- Witches' Hill

- Juniper Mountain

- Kellnersberg

- on the Harth - with the central clinic

The western view

Beyond the wide Tiefengruben valley, the following towns and regions become visible to the west:

- Tiefengruben (one of the most beautiful round villages in Thuringia)

- Tonndorf with the castle

- the Hohenfelden reservoir adventure region

- the village of Hohenfelden

- the Riechheimer Berg

The eastern view

To the east are the mountains of the middle Saale valley near Jena and to the north, Weimar with its UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the Ettersberg with its bell tower are visible. On a clear day, the broad band of the Thuringian Forest can be seen to the southwest:

- Singerberg

- Kickelhahn

- Decorations

- Beerberg

- Inselsberg

A shelter was built next to the tower as early as 1900 on the orders of master gardener Herrmann Siewert to serve hikers and visitors. After the buildings and tower were severely damaged during the war years, the hut was reopened in 1964. However, the tower renovation was not completed until 1984. Today, the „Zum Paulinenturm“ restaurant is an excursion destination for guests who enjoy good food and hospitality. Definitely our tip for your hiking break.