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Schwerin TV tower now ten meters shorter – the cathedral is overtaking!
On August 14, 2025, the Schwerin television tower was shortened by ten meters. A significant change for Schwerin’s skyline.
Schwerin TV tower now ten meters shorter – the cathedral is overtaking!
On August 14, 2025, the time had come: the Schwerin television tower lost almost ten meters of its height. A helicopter was used to lift off a GRP cylinder made of glass fiber reinforced plastic that had no longer been needed over the years. With this measure, the height of the tower fell to 116 meters, meaning it is no longer the tallest structure in Schwerin. This title now goes to Schwerin Cathedral, which measures an impressive 117.50 meters. The work was completed at 8:30 a.m. - faster than planned, in keeping with the beautiful weather that prevailed that day.
One resident who has been with the tower since it was built in the 1960s is 74-year-old Hans Kirschner. He regrets having missed the spectacular event. With the removal of the GRP cylinder, not only was a visible piece of Schwerin's skyline removed, but it is also the second conversion of the tower of this type since it was built. The cylinder was originally commissioned in 1971, replacing an old steel lattice mast that formed the original top.
The importance of the television tower
Over the years, the Schwerin television tower has lost its function as a radio and television station. Nowadays it is primarily used for mobile phone transmission. Deutsche Funkturm GmbH, which operates 36,000 radio sites across Germany, is responsible for this. In comparison, the Berlin television tower at Alexanderplatz, with its impressive 368 meters, is the largest structure in Germany, serving as a functional broadcasting facility and also as a symbol of communist power. This level of fame is reflected in over a million visitors a year who visit the Berlin Tower's observation deck.
However, the television tower remains a striking landmark for Schwerin, even if its functions have changed. The remaining steel tip contributes to mobile communications and acts as a radio receiver that picks up signals from other mobile systems and forwards them to the telephone network. This means that the television tower will remain relevant in the future, even if the restaurant in the heights of the tower has been closed since 2017. A reopening planned for 2021 was prohibited by the city's Interior Ministry.
Conclusion
The conversion of the Schwerin television tower is a further step in the evolution of this historic building. While the GRP cylinder was no longer needed, there are already discussions about possible future developments. The television tower remains a part of the local identity and also brings back memories of times when it was still active as a television station. Although some may miss him, we look to the future and the innovative opportunities ahead with optimism.