Hláska lookout tower on Růžový vrch near Hora Svaté Kateřiny

It stands at an altitude of 729 meters and its total height is 21 meters. The observation deck is located at a height of 16 meters above the ground and 87 steps lead to it. To the east you can see Nová ves v Horách and wind farms on Strážné vrch, Milešovka, České Středohoří, Medvědí skála and the settlement Háj. There is also a nice view of Mount St. Catherine. The northwest side opens up a view of Kamenný vrch, the north side a view of wind turbines in Germany. In the northeast you can see Loučná in the Ore Mountains and Jeřabina Hill. However, the overall view is limited to approx. at a distance of five kilometers due to the surrounding hills.

From the road from Horní Jiřetín to Brandov, a narrow asphalt road leads to the lookout tower, along which you can park your car. A green tourist sign from the Jezeří chateau leads up to the lookout tower.

The lookout tower is open during the tourist season until the end of October, on weekdays from 1 pm to 5 pm and on weekends from 11 am to 5 pm.

The region in which Mount St. Catherine is located began its greatest expansion at a time when silver, copper and zinc were being mined here. After the depletion of deposits, however, the local area began to decline again and perhaps only tourism diversified it a bit. In 1898, the beautification association came up with a proposal to build a lookout tower at the southern end of the village. That year, Emperor Joseph celebrated his fiftieth birthday, so the members of the association decided to name the new lookout tower after him.

The ceremonial opening of the new lookout tower took place on August 17, 1902. A hostel and restaurant were built near the 16-meter-high lookout tower.

After the First World War, the lookout tower was renamed Jahnov after F.L. Jahn, a German who promoted the tourist and sports movement. Later, the lookout tower was equipped with a glass superstructure. It was here until the 1980s, when it had to be demolished due to reconstruction.

The lookout tower underwent a major reconstruction in 2001. During it, the masonry was strengthened, cleaned and grouted, and the inner walls were reinforced with wire mesh. A wooden superstructure was placed on top of the tower, which raised the height of the lookout tower to 21 meters. At present, the lookout tower has the appearance of a stone mountain tower with a glazed observation deck. During the reconstruction, an extension made of wood was also set up at the foot of the lookout tower, the premises of which are used for exhibitions. The grand opening after the reconstruction took place on June 22, 2002. On that day, the lookout tower also celebrated the 100th anniversary of its establishment. The event was attended by two hundred citizens, who could be taken up to the lookout tower by a two-story English bus.

Currently, the top of the tower is used by mobile operators, who have placed their antennas here. There is also a camera on the tower that captures the Katerina valley.

Author: Andrea Štyndlová