Einstein Tower — Attraction in Potsdam

An Expressionist observatory designed to test Einstein’s revolutionary theories.

In 1911, Albert Einstein (1879–1955) published his General Theory of Relativity. One of the theory’s predicted effects was a slight increase in the wavelength of light escaping from a strong gravitational field—a phenomenon known as gravitational redshift. German astronomers led by Erwin Finlay-Freundlich (1885–1964) decided to test the theory and commissioned a new solar observatory in Potsdam, outside Berlin, to be named after Einstein.

Dedicated to physics. The German architect Erich Mendelsohn (1887–1953) set out to create a building with a dynamic structure that would align with Einstein’s radical theories. He opted to build the tower from reinforced concrete, suitable for its sculpted form. Construction difficulties caused by the complexity of the design, together with material shortages during World War I, meant that the observatory was actually built of brick and then covered with stucco. The designer achieved his vision for the building, however, with Einstein himself remarking on its...

One of the absolute highlights of German expressionism and Mendelsohn’s masterpiece, the Einsteinturm is a bit of a bike to reach, but that makes it all the more satisfying once you’ve reached the surprisingly small tower on the summit. It’s not in great shape, however, it has never really been in good shape, so points for consistency, and it is still a working lab, half buried in the ground, serving as a base for scientific knowledge secure in the hills above Potsdam. An absolute must for fans of modern...

The building of the astronymic observatory from the beginning of the 20s. Project - Erich Mendelsohn author of many works of modernism - in Germany - in Berlin, and in Poland (Wrocław), and many more... Building is an example of organic architecture. The round shape resembles a shell of a sea snail or the bones of a prehistoric animal. A must for any architect. Vistited June 2015 / Das Gebäude des astronymischen Observatoriums aus dem Jahr 1922. Projekt - Erich Mendelsohn Autor vieler Werke der Moderne - in Deutschland - in Berlin und in Polen (Breslau) und vielen mehr ... Das Bauen ist ein Beispiel für organische Architektur. Die runde Form ähnelt einer Schale einer Meeresschnecke oder den Knochen eines prähistorischen Tieres. Ein Muss für jeden...