The tower is known as the Írott-kő in Hungarian, meaning 'written stone', a name derived from local rock inscriptions.
Before the current stone structure, a wooden observation tower stood on the site starting in 1891.
The border between Austria and Hungary runs precisely through the observation deck, allowing visitors to stand in two countries simultaneously.
The mountain was historically part of the 'Iron Curtain' during the Cold War, making the summit inaccessible to the public for decades.
It is the highest point of the Transdanubian Mountains in Hungary.
The stone tower was built to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the reign of Emperor Franz Joseph I.
The structure survived both World Wars despite being located in a strategic border zone.
The Aussichtsturm Geschriebenstein is a 30-meter high observation tower located directly on the border between Austria and Hungary, marking the highest point in the Burgenland region at 884 meters. Constructed in 1913, the stone tower sits atop the Geschriebenstein mountain, which is the highest peak of the Kőszeg Mountains. It serves as a symbolic connection point between the two nations, with the border line running exactly through the center of the structure. The tower offers panoramic views extending to the Hungarian plains, the Rax-Schneeberg group, and the Styrian hills on clear days. Hikers access the summit via a network of forest trails connecting the town of Lockenhaus in Austria and Kőszeg in Hungary. The interior features a spiral staircase leading to the open viewing platform. The site remains a prominent destination for regional cross-border tourism and long-distance hiking paths.
The viewing platform at the top, specifically the spot where the border markers indicate the division between Austria and Hungary.
Bring windproof clothing, as the summit is exposed and temperatures are significantly lower than in the valleys.
Pack binoculars to identify distant landmarks in the Hungarian Pannonian Basin and the Austrian Alps.
Check local weather reports specifically for the peak, as fog can settle on the summit while it remains clear below.
Attempting to drive directly to the tower; the site is accessible only by hiking or mountain biking.
Open year-round; however, access is strictly limited to foot traffic and bicycles, with no public transport to the summit.
Maintain noise levels appropriate for a nature reserve; leave no trace, as there are no trash facilities at the summit.
