The first mention of a “tower in the field opposite Rheinsberg House” dates back to 1802. Its function at the time was to act as a “point de vue”, i.e. a viewing station, to the main axis of the southern wing of Rheinsberg House so as to be able to announce visitors from Berlin to Rheinsberg. Often referred to as the “lighthouse”, the tower has now been opened again after extensive restoration work. Legend has it that the Wartturm served the young Frederick the Great as an advance warning system that his father, the “Soldier King”, was approaching. The latter didn’t want to see Frederick making music in Rheinsberg – he wanted to him to do military drill. Fearing his father, Frederick is said to have had the Wartturm built so that when his father’s carriage was seen, a light signal was sent to Rheinsberg House to notify Frederick to change his clothes and style. However, the tower was in fact built much later.