Druid Hill’s Moorish Tower
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Druid Hill’s Moorish Tower (Map) occupies one of the best vantage points in the city. The hilltop location provides a panoramic view of East and Central Baltimore from Hampden to Downtown. The tower sits at the southeast edge of Druid Lake, one of the largest man-made earthen dams in the country, its sloping bank over-looking the Jones Falls Expressway. Designed by George Aloysius Frederick in the 1860s, the Turkish style building is made of white marble and brick. During renovation in the 1990s the tower’s spiral staircase, with access to the rooftop deck, was taken out and the iron door was once again locked.
This post is the first in the vantage point category, a series of articles that will target specific locations perfect for afternoon sightseeing. Generally high in elevation and separated from city streets, these vantage points represent a wrinkle in the urban environment, secluded destinations providing temporary solace from everyday activities.