Location: On Výšina věčného života (Height of Eternal Life) approximately 1.5 kilometres east of the centre of Karlovy Vary
Elevation: 638 metres above sea level
Period of construction: Between 1888 and 1889
Official opening: 21 July 1889
Total height: 39 metres
Height of lookout platform: 23,6 metres
Number of stairs: 165

How to get there

Route 1: You may reach Goethe's Lookout if you follow the yellow-marked tourist path from the Hot Spring in the city centre, walk up Na Vyhlídce Street and continue through the spa woods to the Tři kříže (Three Crosses) Lookout. The route is 3.5 kilometres long and due to the superelevation of 260 metres, it is rather challenging.

Route 2: The shortest way is about 1.2 kilometres long and it leads along Gogolova stezka (Gogol's Path) from the stop of Bus No. 8 in Hůrky. It copies the route of Walking Tour 12, which you may follow back to the valley.

History of the structure

The idea of building a lookout tower on Výšina věčného života (Height of Eternal Life) rising above Karlovy Vary came from Princess Stephanie of Belgium, the wife of Austrian Crown Prince Rudolf, who had been captivated by the amazing view during one of her walks in the surroundings of the spa town. The ostentatious structure of the stylish restaurant for excursionists with a lookout tower was built according to the design of reputed Viennese architects Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer between the years 1888 and 1889. The grand opening of the lookout structure, named the Lookout of Crown Princess Stephanie, took place on 21 July 1889.

The site immediately became a very popular destination of the outings of spa guests. Since the long path leading to the lookout lead through hilly terrain, the construction of a funicular that would connect the spa centre with the Height of Eternal Life was presently contemplated. Preparation works were unfortunately halted by World War I. In 1918, the lookout tower was renamed to Stifter's Lookout, and to Stalin's Lookout in 1945. It has been known as Goethe's Lookout since 1957.