Emperor Franz Joseph look-out

The observation tower is built by the Leitha mountains section of the Austrian Tourist Club to commemorate Emperor Franz Joseph I’s 40 years of sovereignty. An old oak tree next to it, called the Emperor’s Oak, is a reminder of his visit in 1839. The “Emperor Franz Joseph Look-out” is opened on August 18th, 1889.

The Austrian Tourist Magazine dedicates an extensive article to this event and writes:

The Leitha mountains section has built a look-out on the 441-m-high Steinerwegberg mountain, the most beautiful observation point in the Leitha mountains, which was officially opened officially on August 18t. A significant number of tourists came from Vienna, who were received at the train station in Mannersdorf and came into town accompanied by music. After the festive mass they began the ascent to the Emperor’s Oak, which was pleasant. After the speech a cheer went up for His Majesty the Emperor, with the dense crowd joining in enthusiastically.

Precise building details are also mentioned in the article:

The Emperor Franz Joseph Look-out is a solid, 8-m-high, 8-cornered stone tower with a 4-m-high, rising wooden pavilion on top of it. Because the observatory overlooks the forest, one can enjoy a completely unencumbered view. The plot was made available without cost by the municipality of Hof, the Austrian Tourist Club provided some funding, while the remaining money came from donations. And the Vienna construction company supplied 150m3 of the finest bricks.

The article closes with the rousing words:

So off to the Emperor’s Oak in the Leitha mountains, off to the Wüste!

That says it all!