Many people know about the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but few are aware that there are many other famous leaning towers in the globe. Some of these other towers are actually more titled than the one in Pisa. The following list showcases some of the most famous leaning buildings in the world that are as a result of artificial mistakes and natural disasters.
10. Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben)
Located in London, England, the Elizabeth Tower was formerly called the clock tower (most people know the tower as the “Big Ben”, but this is the name of the clock!). The 315ft tall pillar formed part of the Westminster Palace after the original parliament building was burned down in the early 1930’s. The building stood firm and straight until 2011 when engineers began to notice it was gradually leaning. Engineers estimate that it might take 4,000 years for this pillar to attain the angle seen in Pisa’s leaning tower.
9. Leaning Tower of Nevyansk
The Leaning Tower of Nevyansk is situated in Nevyansk, Russia. Historians suggest that this building was constructed between the years of 1721 and 1745 by Akinfiy Demidov. With a height of 189ft and a square base of 31ft, this tower has deviated about 7ft from the 90-degree angle. Though the purpose of this tower is not known, there’s a legend that says that an architect tilted the tower intentionally to face the birthplace of Akinfiy Demidov in Tula.
8. Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan
Situated in Perak, Malaysia, the Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan was built in 1885 by Leong Choon Chong, a Chinese contractor. This tower looks similar to the leaning tower of Pisa, but it is divided into 3 sections. The 83.7ft tall tower was constructed for the purpose of storing water for use during the dry season. It leans due to the fact that it was built on soft soil and also because of the weight of the water tanks.
7. Towers of Bologna
The Two Towers of Bologna, otherwise referred to as “Due Torri” were both constructed in the 12th Century by Asinelli and Garisenda families. Both of them had the same height originally, but the Garisenda tower was made shorter during the 14th century because of an unstable foundation and risky lean. These towers, which were built as status symbols, have fueled many legends about romantic squabbles.
6. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
Located in Xi’an, China, The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda was originally constructed in 652 prior to being reconstructed in 704. This building had 10 stories originally before it was struck by an earthquake that reduced the number of stories to 7. The stories are square in shape and the size of every story reduces as you go higher. With a height of 210ft, this Buddhist building leans towards the west.
5. Oude Kerk (Delft)
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The Oude Kerk is a Gothic Protestant Church located in Delft, Netherlands. It was established as a St. Bartholomew Church in 1246. The architecture of the building follows the layout of a traditional basilica. The 75m-high brick tower leans about 2m from the right angle. During the building process, the base was not stable enough to withstand the building’s weight, and the tower started to lean.
4. Leaning Tower of Toruń
Situated in Poland, the Leaning Tower of Toruń was built in the 13th century to form part of Torun’s defense. It is made up of red bricks and served as a female prison in the 18th century. In the 19th century the 49ft tall building was used by a blacksmith and a gunsmith. Engineers perceive that the building inclined from the right angle because it was built on loam soil, which could not handle its weight. With a lean of 4ft 11inches, the tower is an important landmark of Torun’s history.
3. Bad Frankenhausen Tower
One of the most famous landmarks in the city of Bad Frankenhausen in Germany is the leaning 56m-high Oberkirche Church. This church was constructed in 1382 by Christian Salter’s Guild members and it was already leaning by the 17th century. The lean was caused by sinkholes around the area that developed because of salt mining. The spire continues to lean by around 2.4 inches every year.
2. Leaning Tower of Suurhusen
The leaning Suurhusen Church Tower located in Suurhusen, Germany has been reported to have the biggest unintentional lean ever seen on any building worldwide by the Guinness Book of World Records. Set on swampy terrain, the tower’s foundation comprised of oak logs kept it firm and upright for thousands of years. However, due to extensive swamp draining during the 18th century, the foundation became unsettled causing the building to start leaning.
1. Capital Gate
Not all leaning towers are the result of mistakes or natural disasters, some towers are intentionally leaning. Capital Gate is also referred to as the Leaning Tower of Abu Dhabi. It is a 520ft tall skyscraper in Abu Dhabi with 35 stories and more than 170,000 sq. ft. of office space. Capital Gate is among the tallest buildings in Abu Dhabi and was intentionally designed to tilt 18-degrees west. Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company is the owner and developer of this famous tower.
