Jakobsberg (Porta Westfalica)
Jakobsberg | |
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Parent range | Wesergebirge |
The Jakobsberg is a hill, 235.2 m above sea level (NN), that forms the westernmost peak of the Wesergebirge chain and is the eastern guardian of the Weser gorge, the Porta Westfalica or "Westphalian Gate", in North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany).
The summit is the site of the
Geography
The Jakobsberg rises at the western end of the Wesergebirge hills in the district of
The Jakobsberg is surrounded by the extreme eastern parts of the
Bismarck Tower, Porta Westfalica
In 1902 a
Underground manufacturing facility
In the closing phase of the Second World War, most likely in March 1944, the manufacture of pipes by the firm of Philips was moved from the
Transmission towers
Old transmission tower
On the site of the former observation tower, the Bismarckturm Porta Westfalica, a steel and concrete
New transmission tower
The Jakobsberg Telecommunication Tower (known locally as Langer Jakob or "Long James") was built on the site of the old Bismarck Tower from 1974 to 1978, also in concrete and steel. It is a 142 m high transmission tower (standard tower).
The Deutsche Bundespost, as owners of the tower, was once again contractually obliged to have a Bismarck memorial and an observation platform on the new tower. Today the tower is owned by Deutsche Telekom.
The Jakobsberg Telecommunication Tower has an operations room at a height of 50 m and an observation platform open to the public at a height of 23.26 m, from which a good all-round view may be enjoyed, for example over parts of the Weser Uplands and the North German Plain as well as the Kaiser Wilhelm Monument on the Wittekindsberg.
Bismarckburg Inn
A few metres west of the Jakobsberg transmission tower is Gaststätte Bismarckburg, an inn that was built at the end of the 18th century and is rich in tradition. It acted as a falconry as well as being a popular local destination. It adapted to changing circumstances over time by undergoing several conversions; but has since become empty and fallen into disrepair.
Schlageter Monument
On the crest of the Jakobsberg towards the southwest and just under 650 m (
In 1958 the authorities of the town of Porta Westfalica had the ruins of the monument made accessible and erected an observation platform on the plinth, that gives visitors a far-reaching view to the south and west, for example to the Kaiser Wilhelm Monument on the Wittekindsberg.
Porta Bluff
About 150 m northwest of the Schlageter Monument on the western slopes of the Jakobsberg above a steep, southwest dipping crag is the Porta Bluff (Porta Kanzel, 188.6 m above NN), a natural observation platform.
In 1887 the crag, as the Porta Bluff, was made accessible by members of the Hausberge Tourism Club. From there it offers a good view of the Kaiser Wilhelm Monument on the Wittekindsberg and over the River Weser in the Porta Westfalica gorge.
Military training area
On the northern parts of the Jakobsberg (around the village of Lerbeck) is the Minden-Bückeburg training area, a military training area for the German Armed Forces, the Bundeswehr.
Transport links
Near the Wittekindsberg the B 61, B 65 and B 482 federal roads cross one another. These provide links to the A 2 and A 30 motorways not far to the south as well as side roads that lead to the hill.
In addition the Jakobsberg is linked to the Deutsche Bahn railway network by Porta station, which is part of Porta Westfalica and situated at the western foot of the hill on the east bank of the Weser.
The Jakobsberg is covered by a good network of