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About this place
The Ulmizberg Tower (Richtstrahlturm Ulmizberg) in Köniz is a steel antenna mast with a viewing platform in Schliern, within the municipality of Köniz, right next to Bern in the canton of Bern. It rises roughly 95 metres and is one of the most recognisable landmarks on the hill that gives it its name.
What is this tower?
Ulmizberg is a hill in the Köniz municipality, and the tower is also known as Ulmizturm or Ulmizbergturm. The steel antenna installation went up in 1974. It was first built to take pressure off the telephone network, which explains the "Richtstrahl" in the name: it means directional radio link. Today the mast carries radio-relay, mobile phone and DAB digital radio antennas. Terrestrial DVB-T television broadcasting from the site ended on 3 June 2019.
Can you go up to the viewing platform?
The tower has a viewing platform about 13 metres above ground. That is only a fraction of the full height, so the outlook mainly covers the Spiegel bei Bern area and the nearby hills. The mast itself can be seen from far around, which makes it a handy landmark on a walk.
How do you get there?
The address is Ulmizbergstrasse in Spiegel bei Bern (postcode 3095), on the south-western side of the Bern urban area. The site belongs to Köniz, one of the most populous municipalities in the canton. The Ulmizberg is also a known road-cycling climb, listed on cycling websites with a start in Oberulmiz.
Why visit?
The tower is both a working telecommunications site and a short-trip destination. The surroundings suit summer walks and picnics, and the structure, typical of Swiss broadcast masts, interests anyone curious about engineering. From the platform you see the classic Swiss Plateau pattern of fields, woods and villages.
Frequently asked questions
How tall is the Ulmizberg tower?
Around 94 to 95 metres in total, depending on the source and on whether the antenna is counted.
When was it built?
In 1974, as a steel antenna structure.
What is it used for today?
It carries radio-relay, mobile phone and DAB radio equipment. DVB-T television was switched off there in June 2019.
Where exactly is it?
In Schliern, municipality of Köniz, canton of Bern, on Ulmizbergstrasse near Spiegel bei Bern. The coordinates are roughly 46.90 N, 7.43 E.
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