A Telecom Tower at 2500 Meters, Switzerland

Säntis Mountain has been a popular tourist destination in Switzerland since cable car service to its summit, 2500 m above sea level, was introduced in 1935. Since 1956, the summit has also been the site of an important radio and telecommunications relay station. The demands on this facility in the 1990s required replacement of the existing 78 m tall tower, built in 1975, with a new unit 123 m tall. The various services and installations with the antenna tower, and the need for spacing between the tower wall and the heatable sheathing, led to the tower's dimensions. At a height of 35.2 m the outer diameter of the structure measures 6.5 m. Two levels that contain dish antennae are sheathed in glass panels, which provide some welcome visual interruption in the outer surface of the tower.