Stuttgart TV Tower Celebrates Its 70th Anniversary 

February 5, 2026

The Stuttgart TV Tower celebrates its 70th anniversary today, on February 5, 2026! Opened on this day in 1956, the tower is recognized as the world’s first television tower and remains a foundational prototype for television towers built across the globe. From Frankfurt and Dortmund to Johannesburg and Wuhan, countless towers trace their conceptual origins back to Stuttgart.

Throughout 2026, the anniversary is marked by a year long program of public events, cultural performances, exhibitions, and special experiences at the tower itself. Visitors born in 1956 receive free admission rides during the entire anniversary year, subject to conditions.

A Pioneering Structure in Tower History

The Stuttgart TV Tower stands 217 meters tall and was designed by civil engineer Fritz Leonhardt, with architectural direction by Erwin Heinle. At the time, the Süddeutsche Rundfunk planned a conventional steel lattice mast. Leonhardt instead proposed a prestressed concrete tower that combined broadcasting technology with public access, including an observation deck and restaurant.

Construction began on June 10, 1954 and was completed in just 20 months. The total cost at inauguration was 4.2 million Deutsche Marks, an amount recovered within five years through entrance fees alone. The tower immediately demonstrated that functional infrastructure could also be economically viable and architecturally refined.

Engineering Innovation and Design

The Stuttgart TV Tower introduced multiple engineering innovations. It was the first tower worldwide to be built using prestressed concrete, a material previously reserved for bridge construction. Its foundation uses a pioneering ring foundation system with a core width of 27 meters, stabilized by radial steel tendons that distribute the 4,500 ton load efficiently.

Two conical concrete shells inside the foundation ensure stability by transferring wind and structural forces evenly into the ground. The broad foundation is fully concealed below ground level, allowing the slender shaft to rise directly from the landscape, a deliberate design choice by Leonhardt to preserve visual lightness.

The Stuttgart TV tower’s cylindrical basket shape minimizes wind resistance, while rounded upper and lower edges reduce wind noise and prevent direct downward views from the observation deck. The aluminum cladding further improves aerodynamics and protects the structure against extreme weather conditions.

Observation Decks and Visitor Facilities

The Stuttgart TV tower features a two tier open air observation deck at a height of 150 meters, with a second level at 153 meters designed specifically for children. This design allows unobstructed views regardless of visitor height.

The Panorama Café is located at 147 meters and offers seating for approximately 60 guests. At ground level, Restaurant Leonhardts accommodates between 130 and 140 guests. The tower is served by two elevators, each with a capacity of 16 persons and a speed of 18 kilometers per hour.

From the observation deck, visitors enjoy panoramic views across Stuttgart, the vineyards of the Neckar Valley, the Swabian countryside, and as far as the Black Forest and the Odenwald.

Broadcasting History and Technical Evolution

Television broadcasting from the tower began even before its official inauguration, on October 29, 1955. Since May 1956, the tower has continuously transmitted radio signals. Television broadcasting antennas were decommissioned in 2006, as they were no longer compatible with modern DVB T standards. Since then, television signals have been transmitted from a nearby telecommunications tower.

Today, the Stuttgart TV Tower continues to host radio broadcasting, digital audio broadcasting, microwave links, mobile communication systems, and public safety transmission equipment.

The 70 Hour Anniversary Opening in February 2026

To mark the anniversary, the Stuttgart TV Tower will remain open for 70 consecutive hours from February 5 at 00:00 until February 7 at 22:00. A continuous program will run day and night during this period.

The celebrations begin with a midnight sparkling wine reception at the Panorama Café, organized in cooperation with the Esslingen based Kessler sparkling wine cellar, which also celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2026.

Late night film screenings will present classic Miss Marple crime films on the event level, referencing the tower’s era of origin. On selected evenings, the Panorama Café will operate as a cocktail lounge in cooperation with a Stuttgart based bar. Sunrise breakfast events allow visitors to experience early morning views over the city.

On Saturday, a 70 Years Oldie Party takes place at the event location at the tower’s base, featuring music from seven decades. Festive anniversary dinners are served on two evenings at Restaurant Leonhardts.

Cultural Program and Concerts

On February 7, 2026, the Viatores Quartet, awarded SWR Kultur New Talent 2024, performs a live concert on the event level. The concert is moderated by Katharina Eickhoff and broadcast live on SWR Kultur at 15:30.

Throughout February, the KULTURM program presents additional cultural events, including magic performances, piano concerts, and jazz evenings. Several of these events are already in high demand, with selected performances sold out.

Events Throughout the Anniversary Year

Further anniversary highlights include an exhibition at the StadtPalais Museum Stuttgart from March 4 to April 12 titled Höhenrausch und Lampenfieber, 70 Years of TV Tower and Liederhalle. Additional events include the Long Night of Museums in March, the Waldau Summer Festival in July, and the Open Monument Day in September featuring a classic car rally.

International Recognition and Legacy

The Stuttgart TV Tower is listed as a cultural monument of the City of Stuttgart and has been recognized as a Historic Landmark of Civil Engineering in Germany since 2009. Its design has been exhibited internationally, including at the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris.

The Stuttgart TV remains a benchmark in tower construction, continuing to influence tower architecture worldwide after 70 years. We are incredibly proud to call the iconic Stuttgart TV Tower a member of the World Federation of Great Towers, and all behalf of all members, we wish the Stuttgart TV Tower a happy anniversary!

World Federation of Great Towers

WFGT was founded in 1989 as a not-for-profit organization and showcases the great towers of the world, which have become symbols of their cities.