Title: Iconic Einstein Tower reopens after extensive renovations to preserve its historical significance
Date: Tue 26 Sep 2023 18.15 CEST
The Einstein Tower, a solar observatory dedicated to supporting Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity, has recently reopened near Berlin after a major renovation project aimed at preserving its architectural and scientific heritage.
Perched on Telegraph Hill in Potsdam, the Einstein Tower spent a year under renovation, undergoing modern preservation techniques to address structural issues such as cracks, dampness, and its iconic zinc domed roof. These efforts were undertaken to ensure the longevity and authenticity of the structure for future generations.
Constructed between 1920 and 1922 by architect Erich Mendelsohn in collaboration with astronomer Erwin Finlay-Freundlich, the 20-meter tower has been a fascinating endeavor for both architectural enthusiasts and astrophysicists alike. Mendelsohn aimed to manifest Einstein’s theory of relativity through his design, and the tower came to symbolize the allure surrounding Einstein’s revolutionary ideas.
The unique construction, representing a landmark in expressionist architecture, features an amorphous shape, curvaceous wooden staircase, and a system of mirrors and lenses that channel sunlight from telescopes on the roof to the spectrograph and observation laboratories in the basement. Today, the Einstein Tower is still a fully operational solar observatory managed by the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics (AIP), primarily dedicated to studying solar magnetic fields.
Originally intended to be built with concrete, the scarcity of materials after World War I forced the usage of stucco-covered brick, resulting in structural challenges from the beginning. Moreover, the tower suffered significant damage during allied bombings in World War II.
The renovation project, overseen by project engineer Hagen Mehmel, cost approximately €1.2m (£1m) and required an estimated 10,000 hours of labor. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mehmel described the tower as a “fantastic structure,” praising its artistic merits but acknowledging its engineering complexities.
The Einstein Tower was conceived to test and substantiate Einstein’s general theory of relativity, which he published in 1911. It became instrumental in measuring the “red shift,” a phenomenon observed as the slight movement of spectral lines in the sun’s gravitational field.
During the reopening ceremony, Alexander Warmuth, the deputy head of the solar physics section at AIP, emphasized the tower’s continued relevance. He highlighted that the original telescopes installed almost a century ago are still in use today, guiding research, training students, and developing instrumentation for new solar telescopes.
With a digital exhibition launched to provide more information to visitors, the Einstein Tower remains a landmark attraction, drawing visitors who admire its historical and scientific significance. Although Albert Einstein himself reportedly showed little excitement for the building, his legacy lives on within its walls.
As the tower stands renewed and revitalized, it serves as a testament to human ingenuity and scientific progress, reminding us of the enduring impact of Einstein’s groundbreaking theories on our understanding of the universe.