The turn of the Millenium or turn of Gedinne is a spectacular view-point built in 2001 on the territory of the commune of Gedinne in Belgium, in the Province of Namur, with two steps of the French border. It dominates the plate of the Cross-Scaille, wooded field of 9.000 ha, which was a high place of the Résistance in 1944, and which is, with its 503 meters of altitude, the culminating point of the area of the the Ardennes, and the fourth “top” of Belgium. With the wire of the centuries, four turns had already been set up on this site.

The construction of this tower of observation is the fruit of a transborder project, carried out between September and March 2001. It was conceived by the architect inhabitant of Li2ege Daniel Dethier. This structure combines wood with steel and proposes qualities of wood Wallon and, more precisely, the Douglas of the commune of Gedinne. Six the three meters of circumferences and 45 height meters trees were cut down in one half-day. The building resembles a sand glass with the six Douglas ones of 32 meters. A metal structure of 47,6 meters which comprises two spiral staircases is connected to the building using three steel footbridges. The monument consists of three stages, 15,30 and 45 meters. The tower culminates with 60 meters in height by a red and white metal mast metallized because located in an air lane. The mast of 2,8 tons is placed in the center of the 3 stages. The total mass is of 82 tons.

The tower was assembled with horizontal and was rectified during a spectacular jacking maneuver which lasted eight hours, the August 28th 2001.

The cost of the construction of the tower of the Millenium rose with 625.000 euros (net of tax). The Walloon region took part in 50% of the financing of work. The European Union as for it took part for 40%. And balances it of 10% remained with load of the communal budget of Gedinne.

The tower of the Millenium is accessible to the public free.

External bonds

• Description of the construction project of the tower of the Millenium on the site of the cabinet of architecture Dethier & Associated

• the card with the Tower with the Millenium on the site Structurae.fr