The Sauvabelin Tower is a solid wooden tower situated on the heights of the city of Lausanne (Switzerland), was built in 2003 by Julius Natterer.
Standing over 35 metres tall, it is characterised by its 302 steps (151 for the ascent and 151 for the descent) which form a double helix. The beams forming the steps are fixed to a central axis, which separates the ascending and descending staircases. All the wood used comes from the city’s forests.
The tower’s top platform offers panoramic views of Lausanne, the Ouchy district, Lake Geneva, the Vaud Alps and Pre-Alps, and the French Alps.
Characteristics
- Total height: 35.20 m
- Elevation of the upper platform: 700.20 m (328 m above Lake Geneva)
- Foundations: 19 m in diameter and 40 cm thick (concrete)
- Base diameter: 12 m
- Upper platform diameter: 8 m
- Weight: 130 tonnes
Access and opening hours
It is open from 9 am to 5 pm in winter and from 9 am to 9 pm in summer.
The tower is located a few dozen metres south of Lake Sauvabelin and can be reached by bus number 16.
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