Among the trees: 15 most unusual observation towers in Baltics

We have chosen the most unusual spaces where you can see the neighborhood from a great height. And for your convenience, we have made a map with all the objects. Don’t forget to bring binoculars if you go there!

Lithuania 

Birštonas observation tower

Height: 51 metres. 

Context: This tower is the tallest of such structures in Lithuania. It resembles a fortification or a medieval bell tower and has 300 steps. The project was designed by architect Donatas Malinauskas, currently the head of the architecture department of the Panevėžys District Municipality.

What to see: the tower rises on the Škevonius Ridge above the Neman Loops Regional Park, where Lithuania’s longest river forms several steep curves. You can also get a good view of the town of Birštonas from here.

The observation tower in Merkinė

Height: 26 metres. 

Context: A tower with several observation decks for viewing the surroundings from different angles and heights. The structure is made of metal, which blends harmoniously with the forest due to its reddish hue. The supporting columns narrow to the top as if they are tree trunks, and the observation platforms look like tree crowns. The structure was built in 2015, designed by architect Arvydas Gudelis: he also designed the tower in Anikščiai, which will be mentioned below. On windy days, the upper platform may slightly sway, but the structure is adapted to wind forces and is absolutely safe. 

What to see: the tower gives an impressive view of the Neman valley and the forests of Dzuki National Park. This place was once known as the Royal Forest, where Lithuanian dukes and their guests liked to hunt. 

Kirkilai observation tower

Height: 30 metres.

Context: the tower was built in 2015. It resembles a wooden boat or a half moon. Architects Giedrius Akelis and Lina Šantaraite say that they wanted not only to create a magnificent sculptural form, but also to emphasize the main function of the observation tower: it is turned towards the unique nature reserve and points the direction to it.

What to see: countless karst lakes in the Biržai Regional Park. In summer, the water takes on different colors due to sulfur and purple sulfur bacteria. There are only two places in Europe with this natural phenomenon, the second one is in Italy. 

Anikščiai observation tower

Height: 34 metres. 

Context: not just a viewing platform, but an ensemble that includes an overhead eco-trail in addition to the tower. The 300-meter-long wooden walkway is supported on high poles and loops between the crowns of trees. The project by architect Arvydas Gudelis is the first of its kind in the Baltic States.

What to see: the left bank of the Švjantoja River and the Anikščiai pine forest, part of the Anikščiai Regional Park.

What to see: a unique view of the Curonian Lagoon, the Curonian Spit and the Grey Dunes, also known as the Dead Dunes. If you are lucky, you can see Lithuania’s largest bird of prey, the white-tailed eagle, hunting over the water.

Latvia

Korneti watchtower

Height: 27 meters.  

Context: the structure is located in Korneti Pelli, a nature reserve in the valley of a subglacial estuary near the Estonian border. The architects were the Latvian bureau BM Projekts, which works with a variety of landscapes. The metal structure is framed by wooden rails resembling Latvian folk ornaments. 

What to see: from here you can enjoy beautiful panoramas of the Aluksnes and Hania Highlands, as well as a view of Suur-Munamägi Hill, the highest point in the Baltic States.

What to see: the surroundings of Aluksne, including the lake of the same name, the manor park and the ruins of the castle of the Livonian Order.

Slītere lighthouse

Height: 24 meters.  

Context: The oldest structure on our list is the tallest lighthouse in Latvia. It appeared in 1849 at a height of 82 meters above sea level. The lighthouse was commissioned by von der Osten-Saken, baron of Dundaga Manor, and was used to control forest fires. At first, sailors navigated by this building only during daytime, as there were no lighting devices on it. Electric light was installed in the XX century, and since then the tower served as a lighthouse until 1999. Now there is a local history museum inside.

What to see: The Slītere Blue Mountains are steep bluffs on the Baltic Sea coast, and slope and broadleaf forests.

What to see: landscapes of the Latvian region of Zemgale, Tervete Nature Park and the valley of the river of the same name.

Liepaja birdwatching tower

Height: 10 meters.  

Context: The tower complements the scenic route along Lake Liepaja. The almost one-kilometer long path to the tower starts from Lauku Street and ends with a small bird-watching platform. There is a bicycle parking lot at the entrance to the promenade.

What to see: the main thing here is, of course, the lake, which appeared after the outflow of the Baltic Sea, and the meadows that surround it. This place is part of the Natura 2 000 program, one of the European Union’s major environmental initiatives. The inhabitants include goldfinches, chiggers, great mergansers and eagles. Altogether 27 protected bird species nest here, 10 species winter and another 50 species feed during migration.

How to get to Liepāja and what else to see in the city, read in that material.

Estonia 

Suur-Munamägi tower

Height: 29 meters.   

Context: The tower was built in 1939. The first and last floors are connected by an elevator, with a café at the bottom and an open observation deck at the top. Just below, there is a glassed-in space for those who are afraid of heights or want to shelter from the weather. Reinforced concrete and simple geometric forms are the hallmarks of modernist architecture, which spread throughout Estonia during the period of independence before the Soviet occupation.

What to see: Suur-Munamägi Hill, where the tower is built, is the highest point in the Baltics. Its height is 318 meters above sea level. On fine days, it offers views of Estonia and neighboring Latvia up to 50 kilometers away.

Pesapuu observation tower 

Height: 30 meters. 

Context: Rõuge Observation Tower, or Nest Tower, is one of the main landmarks of Southern Estonia. It appeared in 2015. According to the idea of the Estonian bureau ROK-Projekt, the structure bears a resemblance to a large tree and two giant bird’s nests. At the very top is a lantern in the shape of a “golden egg”.  

What to see: tourists who have reached the top will see the Nightingale Valley and other areas of Võru County: this part of Estonia is known for its green hills and small lakes.  

Emumägi observation tower

Height: 21.5 meters. 

Context: The structure appeared in 1997 and was completely renovated in 2008, at which time it was given a green color. Its creator is an architect Tiit Hansen, the author of important modernist projects in Estonia. The outer contour of the tower is a framework of hewn logs, imitating the structure of metal towers. Inside, there is a covered cylindrical part with a staircase for climbing and an intermediate platform.

Staircase tower

Height: 7 meters. 

Context: among the authors of the structure are the architects b210, whom we have already mentioned in our articles about the Venice Biennale and the E11 Path. Together with students from the Estonian Academy of Art, they designed and built a bird-watching structure in the Tuhu bog, one of the largest bogs in western Estonia. The tower complements the two-kilometer-long promenade. It is a staircase that curves gently to the side as you ascend. Since the structure stands on boggy ground, it was installed on piles that go 7 meters underground.

What to see: small pine trees of the Tuhu  bog, as well as the inhabitants of the swamps—black-tailed spindles, cranes and grouse.

Observation tower in the Arvo Pärt Center

Height: 18 meters.   

Context: the tower belongs to the building that houses the Arvo Pärt Center. He is the most famous Estonian composer. The complex includes an Orthodox chapel, a library, a café and a chamber hall overlooking the forest. The tower opened in 2020, two years later than the main building. The authors of the project are the Spanish bureau Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos. According to their idea, the tower resembles an accent in a melody and allows “to reach weightlessness, to rise up”, as it happens when listening to great musical works.