The Bolfenk Observation Tower, one of the most recognizable viewpoints on Maribor Pohorje and an important part of its cultural heritage, is entering a new chapter. The Municipality of Maribor has completed the first phase of renovations, creating the conditions necessary for further restoration work and the gradual return of the tower to its original appearance.
The completion of the first phase marks an important milestone in the step-by-step restoration of this culturally and historically significant structure. It lays the groundwork for further rehabilitation measures and its eventual reopening as a safe observation point for visitors.
The first phase included preparatory and demolition works, primarily aimed at removing all subsequently added elements that had significantly altered the tower’s original appearance over the past decades and complicated its restoration. As part of these works, antennas and transmitters were either relocated or removed, along with antenna supports, associated installations, and cable conduits. An enclosed space inside the tower – a deteriorated former cable-car operator’s cabin – was also demolished. The final tasks included removing construction materials, cleaning the site, and tidying up the surrounding area.
These interventions have restored a much cleaner and more recognizable silhouette to the tower. They have also enabled a more detailed inspection of the structure and the preparation of project solutions for the next stages of restoration. The removed secondary elements were not part of the tower’s original design and had, over the years, placed both visual and technical burdens on the structure.
The Bolfenk Observation Tower is important not only as a popular hiking and tourist destination but also as a valuable part of the cultural heritage of Maribor Pohorje. According to the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia, the approximately 20-meter-high tower was built in 1909 and is considered one of the few preserved examples of this type of technical and architectural heritage in Slovenia. Due to its heritage significance, it is listed in the Register of Cultural Heritage. Conservation guidelines therefore call for the structure to be gradually restored as closely as possible to its original form and purpose.
Following the completion of the first phase, work will continue with the preparation of the next project stages. Planned activities include further design development, rehabilitation of the load-bearing foundation slab and steel structure, restoration of walking surfaces and protective railings, and improvements to the immediate surroundings of the tower.