Published On 2/8/2026
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Last update: 18:16 (Mecca time)
From Germany to Switzerland to the United States, there are towers that tilt to almost the same degree as the famous Tower of Pisa, and some of them even exceed it in the amount of tilt. Although it does not have the same fame as Pisa, it nevertheless attracts tourism enthusiasts, photographers and admirers of architectural masterpieces around the world.
1. Thuringia Tower in Germany
In the small town of Bad Frankenhausen, a leaning church tower is preparing to reopen its doors after multi-million dollar investments in its restoration and modernization, including the construction of a new visitor center and skywalk.
This platform offers panoramic views of the therapeutic town and the Kiefhauser mountain range. Local officials hope that the landmark will attract about 80,000 visitors annually.
The town’s mayor, Matthias Stritz, explains that the declination of the tower, which reaches a protrusion of 4.86 metres, makes it more inclined than the famous Tower of Pisa, whose inclination in 2022 was measured at about 3.97 degrees, with a protrusion of a little less than four metres.
2. The Leaning Sister Towers in Bologna, Italy
About two hours from Pisa, the city of Bologna in northern Italy hosts two prominent historic towers dating back to the Middle Ages in its ancient heart.
The shorter Torre della Garisenda tower stands out clearly due to its inclination of approximately four degrees. As for the tallest tower, Torre delle Asinelli, with a height of 97 metres, it also tilts to a lesser degree, which makes its curvature less noticeable at first glance.
The Azinelli Tower is usually open to visitors, but it is currently closed for restoration work.
3. Former record holder in North Germany
In the village of Zurhausen in northern Germany, a church tower is tilting due to the gradual erosion of its wooden foundations over time. For many years, the tower was registered in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most inclined tower in the world, with a tilt angle of 5.19 degrees and a protrusion of 2.47 meters at a height of 27 meters.
However, this title was taken from him in 2022 in favor of another tower in Germany, the bell tower in the town of Gau-Weinheim in the state of West Rhineland-Palatinate, which leans at an angle of 5.43 degrees.
4. Leaning tower in St. Moritz
The luxury ski resort of St. Moritz in Switzerland also has its own sloped landmark. The leaning tower, which is all that remains of a long-demolished church, rises amid a dramatic alpine mountain scene.
According to local tourism officials, the tower is 33 meters high and tilts at an angle of 5.5 degrees, which may make it the steepest tower compared to the current record holder in Germany.
5. “Little Pisa” in the United States
Illinois is not Italy, and the town of Niles is not Pisa, but the scenery there might surprise a visitor. In the early 1930s, a local businessman was commissioned to build a miniature version, half the size, of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, while maintaining its famous tilt.
Unlike the Italian original, the “Niles Leaning Tower” is currently closed to visitors, but during visiting times it allows climbing about 250 inclined steps for those daring enough to experience the experience.
