The summit of the Jestřebí Mountains, Žaltman, has a new lookout tower

photo: jestrebihory.net

Malé Svatoňovice (Trutnov region) – The highest peak of the Jestřebí Mountains, Žaltman, now has a new lookout tower at its summit, standing 740 meters above sea level. It was built by the municipality of Malé Svatoňovice with the help of a public collection. Today's ceremonial opening of the lookout tower took place on the same day as the inauguration of the original viewpoint 53 years ago. From the observation platform, which is 23 meters above the ground, there is a panoramic view of the Krkonoš Mountains, the Adršpach-Teplice Rocks, the Orlické Mountains, Králický Sněžník, and the Podkrkonoší region.

The lookout tower, with a steel structure and a spiral central staircase, cost 3.6 million crowns. A fundraising campaign declared in 2017 contributed over two million to the project's budget. For the donated money, individuals or companies could symbolically buy individual steps of the lookout tower. "All 122 steps were sold. One step cost an individual 5000 crowns and a company 10,000 crowns. Donors have a label on the steps," said Vladimír Provazník, the mayor of Svatoňovice, to ČTK. The Hradec Králové Region provided half a million crowns for the construction.

The observation platform of the new lookout tower is 12 meters higher than the one at the original lookout tower. The structure, which honors the shape and form of the previous lookout tower, was delivered to the summit by helicopter at the end of August. It was then assembled on-site by the builders.

The original lookout tower was built by members of the then TJ Baník Malé Svatoňovice on a volunteer basis. The tower was made of steel pipes with a central staircase. The municipality removed the lookout tower last year for several reasons. It was no longer visible due to trees that had grown over it, and its technical condition no longer met regulations.

In the Jestřebí Mountains, there has been another lookout tower since 2014 on the Markoušovický Ridge, at an altitude of 708 meters above sea level. It is 22 meters tall and was built by the state enterprise Lesy České republiky. It is located about four kilometers from Žaltman.