Invitation to the official opening of the new Słubice observation tower

The city of Słubice invites the citizens of Słubice and Frankfurt (Oder) to celebrate the opening of the new observation tower, which is reminiscent of the historic "Kleist Tower", on Monday, September 29, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. 
 

A statement from the Słubice city administration reads: "The new observation tower is a modern, 30-metre-high structure in the SOSiR sports and leisure park, on the hill directly behind the historic stadium. An illuminated path about 500 meters long leads from the parking lot at the municipal cemetery through the forest to the tower. The area around the tower is equipped with benches and a playground.

The tower has two viewing platforms at a height of 25 and 30 meters, from which you can enjoy a wide view of Słubice, Frankfurt (Oder) and the surrounding area. The upper level is equipped with a telescope and a glass floor, while the platform can be reached via a staircase and an elevator."

The construction work was carried out as part of the Frankfurt-Słubice project "Kleist Tower and Bolfras House (Phase II)", which was co-financed by the European Union (Interreg VA Brandenburg – Poland 2014–2020 program). With the same project, permanent lighting in the colors of the twin city was installed on the city bridge in 2021 and the historic Bolfras House in Frankfurt (Oder) was rebuilt in its first phase (2010–2014).

The opening ceremony will take place from 1:00 p.m. to approx. 2:30 p.m. on the grounds of the observation tower. Participation is free of charge. The event will be interpreted consecutively in German and Polish.

The City of Frankfurt (Oder) will be represented by Mayor Claus Junghanns.

Excerpts from the program

1.00 p.m. | Greetings

1.10 p.m. | Ceremonial cutting of the ribbon, fanfare, photo opportunity

1.15 p.m. | Joint visit to the viewing platform

1.30 p.m. | Press conference

1.45 p.m. | Time for discussion, musical accompaniment

2.30 p.m. | Inauguration of a memorial tree for former Frankfurt City Councillor and Head of Building Jörg Gleisenstein (1973–2019)
 

A young copper beech will be planted on 29 September right at the start of the new footpath that leads from the parking lot at the municipal cemetery to the observation tower in memory of Jörg Gleisenstein, Frankfurt's Head of Building and former City Councillor who died in 2019. Born in 1973, Gleisenstein was a city councillor for Bündnis 90/Die Grünen from 2008 to 2018 and co-chair of the joint committee of the twin city from 2013. In 2018, he was appointed Head of the Department for Building, Urban Development and the Environment. Jörg Gleisenstein, who spoke fluent Polish, was very committed to cooperation between Frankfurt (Oder) and Słubice and in particular to the construction of a "new Kleist Tower". The tree planted here completes the total of six trees donated in his memory. One stands in his birthplace in Lower Saxony, one near the Potsdam state parliament, where he worked for many years, and three more in Frankfurt's Kleistpark.