Albert Tower on the Collm

As early as 360 years ago, the hunting-loving Elector George I considered building a lookout tower on the Collm, but it was not until 1851 that the construction of the Albert Tower was made possible thanks to donations from many nature and local history enthusiasts, and the foundation stone was laid on the Collm mountain summit. In April 1854, the 18-metre-high tower was opened for climbing.

It was named after the then prince and duke, later King Albert of Saxony. On days with particularly good visibility, you can see from the platform not only the silhouette of Leipzig, around 60 km away, with the Monument to the Battle of the Nations and the university building, but also the ridge of the Erzgebirge, the peaks of the Lusatian Mountains, Petersberg near Halle and Augustusburg Castle. Many people hike to the Collm at any time of year to enjoy the fabulous view, including of the surrounding area. Visitors have to climb 99 steps to reach the viewing platform.

Since 1993, the panoramic view has also been possible through a stationary telescope. On the platform of the observation tower stands a granite column from the "Nagel triangulation" of 1865, the most accurate, traditional degree measurement in the country. The well-known "measuring table sheets" were created on its basis until very recently. The inscription reads: "Königlich sächsische Station Collm der Mitteleuropäischen Gradmessung".

The Albert Tower is now owned by the municipality of Wermsdorf and is accessible to hikers and day trippers from April to October.