The tower is made of larch wood, which is known for its durability and resistance to rot, especially when used in outdoor environments.
No metal nails were used in the tower's construction; it is held together by brass bolts and nuts to ensure radio-frequency transparency.
The 1939 'Gliwice provocation' involved SS soldiers dressing in Polish uniforms to seize the station and broadcast a short anti-German message.
The tower's height of 111 meters is equivalent to a 30-story building.
The site was registered as a Historical Monument of Poland in 2017.
The transmission tower is one of the few remaining examples of pre-war radio masts in Europe.
The Gliwice Radio Station features a 111-meter-tall wooden transmission tower, acknowledged as the tallest wooden structure in the world. Built in 1935, the tower is constructed entirely of larch wood held together by 16,000 brass bolts, intentionally avoiding the use of steel to prevent interference with radio signals. The site gained international infamy on August 31, 1939, when Nazi forces staged a 'false flag' attack on the station to provide a pretext for the German invasion of Poland. The complex remains a preserved technical monument, housing original 1930s radio transmitters and laboratory equipment. The wooden tower is electrically insulated from the ground using ceramic isolators, a hallmark of its specific engineering purpose. It represents a rare example of pre-World War II radio infrastructure that survived the conflict largely intact. The surrounding park serves as a memorial space, integrating history with the industrial landscape of Upper Silesia.
Directly beneath the tower looking upward to capture the geometric patterns of the wooden lattice.
Bring binoculars to appreciate the intricate joinery of the wooden beams from the base.
Plan your visit to coincide with good weather, as the site is largely an open-air museum.
Read about the 1939 provocation before arriving to better contextualize the historical significance of the transmitter building.
Do not attempt to climb the tower; it is strictly off-limits to the public and fenced for safety.
Closed on Mondays.
