Suche
Mein Konto
Dillenburg celebrates 150 years of Wilhelmsturm – fireworks bring excitement!
Dillenburg is celebrating 150 years of Wilhelmsturm with festivities from June 27th to 29th, 2025, including a concert, market and anniversary fireworks.
Dillenburg celebrates 150 years of Wilhelmsturm – fireworks bring excitement!
There is currently a lot of celebration going on in Dillenburg. The occasion is the 150th anniversary of the Wilhelmsturm, which was inaugurated on June 29, 1875 and represents a cultural landmark for many. On Friday evening, this special event was celebrated with a magnificent fireworks display. But the joy was marred by a small incident. During the fireworks display, a rocket unfortunately hit the roof of the tower and ignited wooden cladding. Thanks to the rapid intervention of the fire brigade, an open fire was prevented and there was only minimal damage to property n-tv reported.
The police have started an investigation into negligent arson and are investigating the improper handling of pyrotechnic objects.
A monument to William of Orange
The Wilhelmsturm was built on the ruins of Dillenburg Castle and commemorates William of Orange, who was born in Dillenburg in 1533 and is considered to have liberated the Netherlands from Spanish oppression. The idea for the monument dates back to 1865 and was initiated by August Spieß and Mayor Benjamin Gail. The construction was financed between 1872 and 1875 with German-Dutch support, with the total construction costs amounting to 29,122 thalers, of which Princess Marianne of the Netherlands contributed 18,000 thalers. The Dillenburg Museum Association provides information about the long history and significance of the Wilhelmsturm, which houses an Orange-Nassau museum inside that focuses on the history of William of Orange.
Anniversary celebrations
The 150th anniversary celebrations run until June 29th and include a colorful program in the Schlossberg area. Organized by the Orange City of Dillenburg and the Dillenburger Museumsverein e.V., the festivities will take place on June 27th and 28th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. This includes a medieval market with a variety of stalls, hands-on activities for children and musical and theatrical performances. A highlight is the crossover concert on Saturday evening, at which the Neue Philharmonie Frankfurt performs. Tickets cost 10 euros and are available at the tourist information center.
On Sunday, June 29th, the last day of the festival begins with an ecumenical service at 10 a.m., accompanied by music from the Dean's Gospel Choir. The finale will be a concert with the “Capella Orania” from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. As part of the celebrations, a special exhibition and guided tours are planned to mark the 150th anniversary of the Wilhelmsturm.
In addition, visitors can attend an open air cinema event from June 19th to 21st, 2025, which will show films such as “Barbie”, “Dirty Dancing” and “Harry Potter”. Tickets are available for 9 euros, both at the Tourist Information Office and at the Movie Star Cinema in Dillenburg. Those interested can find further information on the city's website dillenburg.de and the museum association.