The tower was originally built to replace a signal mast that had functioned on the site since the late 19th century.
It stands on the Lotsenberg, one of the highest elevations in the Mönchgut region.
The pilot station was officially decommissioned in the mid-20th century as modern radar technology rendered visual monitoring obsolete.
The structure was extensively renovated in the early 2000s to stabilize the building and restore the observation deck for tourism.
It is one of the few remaining historic wooden pilot towers in the Baltic Sea region.
The Lotsenturm Thiessow is a historic pilot tower situated on the southeastern tip of the Rügen peninsula. Originally constructed in 1908, it served as a critical vantage point for harbor pilots monitoring ship traffic along the Baltic coast. The structure provides an observation platform elevated above the Mönchgut peninsula’s rugged coastline. Visitors ascend via a staircase to reach an outlook offering views of the Greifswalder Bodden and the surrounding biosphere reserve. The tower is a representative example of early 20th-century maritime infrastructure in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. It remains a focal point for understanding the region’s navigational history. The tower is maintained as a local landmark accessible to the public during seasonal operations.
The viewing platform at the very top, offering a 360-degree panorama of the coastline.
Bring binoculars to scan the horizon for passing ships and local birdlife.
Check weather reports before visiting, as the observation deck is exposed to high winds and can be chilly even in summer.
Wear sturdy footwear suitable for the short uphill climb on the path leading to the tower base.
Attempting to climb the tower during periods of severe storm warnings when the structure may be closed for safety.
Typically open during the main tourism season from spring through autumn; closed during winter months.
