Florianturm

The Florianturm (Florian Tower), often simply called Florian, is probably Dortmund's best-known landmark and, visible from far away, shapes the city's skyline. The observation and television tower was built in 1959 for the Federal Horticultural Show in Westfalenpark. The idea for a structure like this grew out of the need to put up a transmission mast for the Deutsche Bundespost (German Federal Post Office) without spoiling the cityscape with an unsightly lattice mast. The result was a dual-purpose structure that served both communications and tourism. For about a decade, the tower ranked among the tallest structures in Germany. Today, including its antenna system, it measures roughly 209 meters (686 feet) and houses a revolving restaurant in the tower pod, which at its opening in 1959 was considered the first of its kind in the world.

Architecturally, the tower is a masterpiece of engineering. The shaft was built of concrete using the slipforming technique, which made it possible to build without scaffolding. The construction is reminiscent of that used for concrete chimneys in industrial building. The revolving restaurant sits at a height of just under 138 meters (453 feet) and makes three rotations per hour. Above it are two observation platforms that offer wide views over the city and the surrounding area. Visitors can reach these levels either by elevator or on foot via several hundred steps. The tower is listed as a protected monument on the city's register of historic landmarks and is part of the Route of Industrial Heritage.

Over the decades, the Florianturm has undergone various alterations and renovations to meet modern safety and technical requirements. A comprehensive modernization in the late 1990s brought a new facade and improved fire protection measures. The antenna technology has also been replaced several times, most recently in 2004 for the introduction of digital television. After the restaurant and café temporarily closed in 2015, operations resumed in November 2025 under the new name Turm137. The tower continues to serve as an important radio and television transmitter for the region.