Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Parking Lot Shoeprints
Dewey Square Pylon & Bent 38
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Manhattan Well
The Manhattan Well: How Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton United to Solve a Murder Mystery
about 13 hours ago
Beneath downtown Minneapolis, Schieks Cave has surprisingly warm groundwater, evidence of a subterranean heat island.
Schieks Cave Below Minneapolis Contains a Lake of Warm Sewage
1 day ago
Athenaeus described various kinds of Greek drinking vessels, like the deep, rounded skyphos and wide, flat kylix.
The Ancient Greek Guide to Succeeding at Dinner Parties
3 days ago
No thanks.
AO Mailbag: Which Places Just Aren’t Worth Visiting?
4 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Czechia Krásno Spiral Tower of Krásno

Spiral Tower of Krásno

A spiral staircase twists to the top of this unusual Czech lookout tower.

Krásno, Czechia

Added By
Christine Williamson
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Spiral Tower Krásno   Richard Tomeček
Spiral Tower Krásno   Richard Tomeček
Spiral Tower Krásno   Lubor Ferenc
  Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
  Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
  FraeuleinS / Atlas Obscura User
Spiral Tower Krásno   Jan Dudik
Spiral Tower Krásno   Motak.23
Spiral Tower Krásno   Jitkaa
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The Spirálovitá Rozhledna ("Spiral Lookout") in Krásno is one of the most unusual lookout towers in Czechia, a country with no shortage of lookout towers. Situated 777 meters above sea level, this twisty tower offers not just a beautiful view of the surrounding area but also some unique architecture. 

During the economic crises between 1933 and 1935 the village of Krásno wanted to provide work to its citizens and attract people to town by building an observation tower. Legends tell that the designers—local sculptor Willy Russ and the local architect Fritz Hoffmann—had been inspired by the story of the Tower of Babylon. 

A staircase with 120 steps leads up the tower, arranged spirally around the outside of the tower. The work was done by unemployed citizens of Krásno only. To save money the stone used for construction was collected in the near area. 

Up until the end of WWI, Krásno was called "Schönfeld" and was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. With the expulsion of German-speaking people from Czechia after the war, the population diminished greatly and the view tower was not tended to. It slowly decayed, until 1997 when it was renovated and partly reconstructed.

During the renovations porcelain plaques were added on top of the tower, explaining what can be seen. The tower offers great views in far areas around the year. Many events are organized around the tower by the people of Krásno during the year, among them a traditional burning of an effigy of witches.

Related Tags

Towers Architecture

Know Before You Go

It is possible to visit the view tower year around though if there is a lot of snow it might be a little hard to get there.

Community Contributors

Added By

Christine Williamson

Edited By

PrestonW, Max Cortesi, FraeuleinS, 9phgfn2qzf

  • PrestonW
  • Max Cortesi
  • FraeuleinS
  • 9phgfn2qzf

Published

September 20, 2016

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://aussichtsturm-krasno.tschechische-gebirge.de/
  • http://krasno.ceskehory.cz/
  • http://www.rozhledna-krasno.cz/
  • http://www.myczechrepublic.com/czech_culture/czech_holidays/burning-witches.html
Spiral Tower of Krásno
Na Pile
Krásno
Czechia
50.101528, 12.786435
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Vanocni dum

Karlovy Vary, Czechia

miles away

Kaiserbad Spa

Karlovy Vary, Czechia

miles away

Karl Marx Monument

Karlovy Vary, Czechia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Czechia

Czechia

Europe

Places 182
Stories 9

Nearby Places

Vanocni dum

Karlovy Vary, Czechia

miles away

Kaiserbad Spa

Karlovy Vary, Czechia

miles away

Karl Marx Monument

Karlovy Vary, Czechia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Czechia

Czechia

Europe

Places 182
Stories 9

Related Stories and Lists

30 of the World's Most Spectacular Spirals

List

By Kerry Wolfe

Related Places

  • View of the Jumbo Tower from Balkerne Gate

    Colchester, England

    Jumbo Water Tower

    The largest Victorian water tower in Britain.

  • The former Wyoming National Bank buildings, known locally as “the onion” and “the egg beater.”

    Casper, Wyoming

    The 'M' Building and Tower

    Locally known as the "Onion” and the "Egg Beater,” Casper’s most recognizable buildings are beloved local landmarks to many, and eyesores to others.

  • Bell tower at Church of the Holy Name

    Pune, India

    Church of the Holy Name

    This 19th-century church is famous for its iconic 130-foot tall bell tower with eight bells.

  • Pepperbox Hill Tower

    Salisbury, England

    Pepperbox Hill Tower

    A doorless and windowless folly in England that evokes curiosity over its mysterious origins.

  • London, England

    Byward Tower Hand

    A mysterious suspended hand greets unsuspecting visitors at the Tower of London.

  • Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    Allen-Bradley Clock Tower

    This was once the largest four-sided clock in the world (yes, even bigger than Big Ben).

  • Tower of Light

    Manchester, England

    Tower of Light

    When the city of Manchester built a new centralized heating network, they did it with style.

  • St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

    Coral World Undersea Observatory Tower

    A rare underwater observatory in the Caribbean that provides breathtaking views of vibrantly colored aquatic life.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.