Just look at the famous tower. A mistake that became a landmark

Any educated person knows in which country the Leaning Tower of Pisa was built. The Tore pendente di Pisa is located in Italy and is an unusual piece of architecture that symbolizes the city of Pisa. This is the pearl of the religious complex of Piazza dei Miracoli on the Square of Miracles.

History of the tower's construction

August 1173. To complete the ensemble of the Square of Miracles, consisting of Catholic Church Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta), Campo Santo cemetery, Baptistery of St. Giovanni (Baptistero di San Giovanni, where the sacraments of baptism take place), construction of the bell tower begins. The process lasted almost 200 years, interrupted and resumed. Many historians consider the first builder of the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy to be Gerardo di Gerardo.

1233. Construction continues under the direction of the builder Benenato Botici.

1264. The source of decorative material is the Pisa Mountains, where workers go to extract marble. The grinding of stone slabs is led by artisan Reinaldo Speciale.

1272. The further process of construction is resumed. Giovanni di Simone begins to level the slope of the tower structure, but his efforts do not produce a positive result.

1284. The naval battle of Meloria ends with the defeat of Pisa. This leads to the fact that construction is temporarily mothballed.

1319. The seventh level of the building is being completed.

1350. Construction of the topmost floor of the bell tower is completed. Master Tommasa di Andrea Pisano builds a belfry in the Romanesque style.

There is disagreement among researchers about the year of completion of construction. Three expected dates are indicated: 1350, 1360 or 1372.

The Italian city where the Leaning Tower of Pisa is located is known as the birthplace of the world famous physicist and philosopher Galileo Galilei (1564).

Scientists' opinions on this issue are divided. Skeptics consider this description a legend. Most recognize the scientist's Pisa experiments as a historical event.

Interesting fact. A record from one of the court books has been preserved. The entry contains a complaint from a Pisan merchant. He was walking past the bell tower when objects fell from above: first a cannonball, then a gun bullet. He fell, seriously injuring his leg. The merchant asks the authorities to punish Galileo, who dumped all this from above. The answer of Galileo himself was also recorded, arguing that one should not pay attention to the words of a person who does not distinguish a gun bullet from a musket bullet.

Architecture of Torre pendente di Pisa

The building material was stone blocks of local origin. Marble from the Pisa Mountains decorates the façade in white and shades of grey. The portal is framed by bas-relief images of mythological creatures. The tympanum is ennobled by a statue of Our Lady by Italian sculptor Andrea Guardi.

The first level is an arcature, that is, a series of decorative arches. The lower colonnade is 11 meters. Subsequent floors are surrounded by galleries. Each of the galleries is formed along the outer contour by columns decorated with classical capitals, which rest on closed arched structures of the Romanesque style.

The official height, recorded statistically, is 58.36 m. But it is noted that the highest side reaches 56.70 meters, the lowest - 55.90 meters.

The diameter of the base is 15.54 m. There are 294 marble steps leading up.

The thickness of the walls is impressive:

• below - 4.90 meters;
• at the top 2.48 meters.

According to modern data, the slope is 3 degrees 54".

Interesting fact. Legend has it that the city government refused to pay the architect after the construction work was completed. He approached the tower column, putting his hand to it, and said: “Follow me!” The building tilted in the direction where its creator had gone.

Bells

At its core, the unique creation of Pisa is a campanella, that is, a bell tower. The seventh level, the belfry, has arched openings for working bells. Musical instruments, endowed with names, correspond to certain sounds of the musical staff. The weight of the largest Assunt (Assumption) reaches 3 tons 500 kilograms.

Interesting Facts. Initially, the Crocifisso bell was made by the artisan Vincenzo Posenti, but then it was melted down by another artisan Gualandi da Prato. The small-sized Dal Pozo received serious damage during the Second World War; at the end of the war, the restored version became a museum exhibit. The appearance of its copy among other operating bells - 2004. San Ranieri was melted down several times.

During the Middle Ages, each bell had a strictly established sounding schedule. On this moment Before each mass of the current cathedral, the bell rings.

Why does the Leaning Tower of Pisa fall?

The authors of the project, Bonanno Pisano and Guglielmo Innsbruck, are credited with the origin of the unique “fall” feature. There is documentary evidence, a treatise by the Italian painter Giorgio Vasari (XVI century). He claims that the "evil" that afflicted the bell tower was due to the lack of practice of Bonanno and Guglielmo.

One of the reasons is recognized as the mistake of the designers, who did not take into account the characteristics of soft soil when laying a three-meter foundation. This led to the fact that already during the construction of the first floors a deviation from the vertical began (1178).

The tower structure began to deviate towards south side, since under the southern part of the base the soil is looser and more unreliable. The engineers decided to build the wall further on the side of the slope higher (+ 10 centimeters) than on the other side. But the construction site began to tilt in the opposite direction. Instead of the originally planned 10 floors, only 8 were built.

1934. Dictator Mussolini orders the Leaning Tower of Pisa to be returned to its vertical position. Another mistake was made - the foundation was reinforced with concrete, which led to the foundation sinking deeper than the required level.

1964. Italian government, considering the meaning of the unusual architectural structure for the tourism industry, decides to maintain the axial deflection but prevent further damage. The issue was studied by specialists from various fields: mathematics, engineering, history. It turned out that the masonry is deformed due to the difference in day and night temperatures. The research lasted 20 years.

Temporary measures were taken: the lead block structures of the northern part served as a counterweight, and supports were installed for backup. Experimental studies were carried out on a concrete foundation model replicating the tower data.

After discussing the proposed methods, it was decided to remove 38 cubic meters of soil under the north side. This measure led to the leveling of the situation to the level of 1838.

The design was corrected until 2001. Having achieved tilt stabilization, tourist site opened to visitors. Experts promise that the Pisan-Romanesque monument will stand for at least 300 years.

Until 2008, despite the efforts of scientists and builders, the annual deviation was 1 mm.

Restoration 2002-2010 reduced the slope from 5 degrees 30" to 3 degrees 54".

What does the tower look like inside?

The staircase at the beginning of the ascent is quite wide. The steps rise in a spiral from the inside, then are accompanied by a gradual decrease in size. The final level is characterized by an indicator of 40 centimeters. The marble staircase made of natural decorative material is worn in places and has become quite slippery. Tourists are advised to wear comfortable shoes.

The central tower part is empty. From the viewing platforms on the inside you can look into the depths of the space.

Starting from the 5th level, visitors have the opportunity to go to external observation platforms, which are equipped with fences and nets for safety purposes.

Some tourists prefer to finish their climb with the 7th floor (belfry). The bravest climb to the top observation deck, which does not have a safety net, and its fence does not exceed 1 meter. A panorama of the entire religious ensemble opens.

Of interest to visitors is the Hall of Fishes, so named because of the bas-reliefs depicting sea ​​creatures. Previously, the entrance was closed to tourists, since it was a room for equipment that constantly measured deviations. Among modern tourists It is popular to visit the hall at night. You can look at the starry sky, like in an observatory.

Interesting fact. A copy of the “Italian Leaning Beauty” was built by the Americans in the city of Niles near Chicago, Illinois (1934). The copy reproduces the Pisa landmark in detail, but is half the size. This design disguises an ordinary water tower.

How to get to the tower

It is easy to get to the city of Pisa from various cities in Italy using rail transport.

• on foot, spending 30-40 minutes,
• public transport to the Piza Rossore stop, fare is about 1 EUR,
• taxi (approx. 6.30 EUR).

The main attraction of the Pisa complex is open daily, year-round:

• April - September - 8.30 - 20.30;
• October - March - 9.00 - 17.00;
• 14.06 - 15.09 - 20.30 - 23.00 - night visits.

Rules for visiting the tower:

• Entry will not be permitted less than 30 minutes before closing.
• For reasons of security, public order or special circumstances such as ceremonies, the schedule may be subject to change or some areas may be closed without prior notice.
• The visit is strongly not recommended for persons suffering from cardiovascular pathologies or having problems with fine motor skills.
• Due to safety requirements, children under 8 years old are not allowed inside. Tourists under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Proof of age identification may be required.
• The ticket fixes the time of the excursion. Late arrival at the required time will result in refusal to attend and does not give the right to demand a refund.
• Bags and other luggage are left before the entrance (luggage storage is a separate building) and collected after the end of the visit. You are allowed to take a camera or video camera with you.
• The visit lasts approximately 35 minutes.
• Ticket price - 18 EUR (constantly increasing).
• Free entry for visitors with disabilities and their accompanying persons who provide the appropriate document to the cashier and fill out a special form.
• No more than 30-40 people can be allowed inside at the same time.
• It is recommended to buy tickets in advance. Excursions are scheduled 1-2 days in advance (especially in the summer there are many people interested).

Popular hotels near the tower

Food prices

Other leaning towers in the world

Worldwide famous city Italy, where the Leaning Tower of Pisa is located, has two more non-vertical architectural structures:

• Campanella of the Church of St. Nicholas, Via Santa Maria;
• Bell tower of the Church of the Archangel Michael (degli Scalzi), Piagge Park.

Various statistical sources count approximately 300 “leaning” tower structures known throughout the world. You can divide this list into 2 groups depending on whether the project was originally intended to be tilted.

The most notable among the structures for projects involving “inclination” are the following.

• The Capital Gate skyscraper (“Capital Gate”), Abu Dhabi, UAE, at a height of 160 meters, has a deviation from the vertical of 18°. Constructed using a unique diagonal grid technology. Expands from the base to the upper floors.
• The Olympic Stadium Tower (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) was built to host the 1976 Olympics. Its inclination is 45°, height is 165 meters. It is held at an angle thanks to a foundation weighing 145 thousand tons, buried 10 meters underground.
• The Bella Sky Hotel, Copenhagen, Denmark consists of two oppositely curved towers. Each has a height of 76.5 m, the deflection angle is 15°.
• Two skyscraper towers "Gateway of Europe" are directed towards each other, Madrid, Spain. Their height is stated to be 114 m, angle - 15°.

Among the architectural creations that bend under the influence of certain conditions, the following stand out:

• Tower of the Catholic Church of San Juan de los Panetes, Zaragoza, Spain. The inclination is 2°. Previously, another building with a city clock stood in its place, leaning 2.3 m and destroyed in 1893.
• The 75 m high bell tower of the Oudekerk Church, Delft, Netherlands, began to tilt due to a poor foundation. The tilt is stabilized to 1.98 meters from the central axis.
• The bell tower of the church of Zuurhusen, Lower Saxony, Germany has a deviation of 5.19 degrees and a height of 27.4 m. The reason for the “fall” is also an unreliable foundation. The situation was stabilized by 1996.
• Yunnan Pagoda, Sizhou, China, built in 961 with a height of 47 m. Its unstable position is determined by the negative influence weather conditions. She deviated by 2.32 m.

Russia was no exception. Its “falling” tower landmark was built according to the decree of Peter the Great in Nevyansk. The construction dates back to the 17th century. The height of the building is 57.5 m. The deviation of the upper part is 2.20 m. Three versions of its deviation are described:

• special project
• soil subsidence,
• from the suffering and tears of ordinary people.

Interesting fact. The 6th floor provides guests with the opportunity to visit the mysterious “hearing room”. The unique design allows you to observe an unusual phenomenon. Two people standing with their backs to each other in opposite corners can clearly hear each other whispering. There is absolute silence in the middle of the room.

The non-standard “falling” structures of the world conceal many mysteries. But tourists traveling around Italy tend to visit the city of Pisa to see architectural miracle, under the auspices of UNESCO.

To the question “Where is the leaning tower located?” People answer “In Pisa” without hesitation. And indeed, its name has become a household name, and the tower itself has become a legend, which is sought after from all corners of the Earth.

However, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is far from the only architectural oddity. Around the world they have tilted enough different countries. Including domestic production. Of course, they do not attract such a huge number of tourists as their most famous Italian competitor, although the story of their falls is no less interesting and is shrouded in myths and fairy tales.

1. Nevyansk Tower

Nevyansk, Sverdlovsk region

The famous Nevyansk leaning tower, a symbol of the city of Nevyansk, is perhaps known not only for its inclination, but also for its mysteries. Their number per square meter of area is simply off scale. Take, for example, the fact that it is not known for certain who built it and when. It is now generally accepted that it was most likely 1725. Although some scientists argue that it could have been 1730 or 1722. However, first things first.

So, the legendary founder of the mining industry, Akinfiy Demidov, in the mid-20s ordered the construction of a stone manor house, a factory office and, next to the wooden Transfiguration Church that already existed on the territory of the factory, a tower bell tower. It was built from heel bricks. That is, they kneaded the clay dough with their heels, picking out the small pebbles that had been pushed in there, which were perfectly felt in this way. That's why the name.

For special strength, egg white was used. But the main qualitative test of strength was ahead.

After the brick was made, it was thrown from a 12-meter wooden tower and only if it remained safe and sound was it used for construction.

So, to put it bluntly, it was not very easy for bricks to go down in history. By the way, according to one legend, the fate of the brick befell the architect himself, who, on Demidov’s instructions, was thrown from the balcony of his own brainchild. However, there is no name of the architect or documentary evidence of this legend. But the practice in general was typical for that time.

The tower itself is a square base on which three octagons are installed like a snowman: that is, each next one is smaller than the previous one. The tower is crowned with a cone with a weather vane flag, which sways at the slightest breeze, despite all its weight. This is the main confirmation that the tower is not falling, but rather inclined, and perhaps it was intended to be that way.

Simply put, if the tower were tilted any number of degrees, the weather vane would not be able to rotate. He, too, would have glanced sideways and froze forever.

At the base of the tower there was Demidov’s own office, laboratory, archive and the so-called “hearing room” - a coveted curiosity for tourists. The fact is that, thanks to the original shape of the ceiling, there is an auditory anomaly in the room: if two people stand in different corners of the room and begin to say something in a whisper, then each in his corner will hear the other’s whisper, while in the center of the room there is no nothing will be heard. Here, according to legend, Demidov brought his “business” partners, auditors and all sorts of enemies and hypocrites, and listened carefully to what they were whispering about in the corners.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the tower clock, or rather the clock mechanism of the famous English chimes. Their clock drum was programmed with 18 English melodies, and 10 bells played them methodically. By the way, the mechanism is alive and well, it still works, although it plays not the 18 melodies for which Demidov actually paid, but the “Life for the Tsar” supplemented in 1965.

Main versions of tower tilt

There are several versions about the reasons for the tilt of the tower, but none has been confirmed. Some say that the tower was originally designed and built obliquely to annoy foreigners with their Leaning Tower of Pisa, some put forward versions that during the construction of the base under the tower the ground subsided greatly and the building tilted. The builders continued its construction, trying to straighten it as much as possible, which is why a very characteristic saber-shaped slope is visible there.

There is another version related directly to Demidov’s activities. Allegedly, in his laboratory on one of the floors, he minted counterfeit money, and evidence of this is the remains of particles of silver and gold found in the furnace soot on the walls. When it became known that an auditor was going to these metas to conduct an inspection, Demidov ordered the flooding of the laboratory and the secret passages leading underground to the tower from his house. The building could not withstand such an amount of moisture, the foundation sank and a characteristic slope appeared. In general, there is still something to think about and something for scientists to reflect on when tapping thick walls and exploring basements.

However, the last mystery of the tower really baffles: the spire of the bell tower has since been connected to grounding, that is, its lightning rod appeared on it a quarter before it was created by Benjamin Franklin. This is truly obvious and incredible!

Currently, the tower building houses the main exhibition of the Nevyansk Historical and Architectural Museum and all floors are available for visits.

Nevyansk Historical and Architectural Museum, Sverdlovsk region, Nevyansk, Demidov Square, 3, www.museum-nev.ru

2. Solikamsk Bell Tower

Solikamsk, Perm region

The belfry of two cathedrals at once - Trinity and Holy Cross Cathedrals in the center of Solikamsk also became famous due to its almost two-meter deviation. The construction of the belfry began in 1713, however, it proceeded intermittently and so slowly that it seems that the tower itself was tired of it: under the influence of groundwater, it was slightly askew.

Falling is not the only feature of the Solikamsk bell tower. Its layout itself deserves special attention. It consists of a huge cube, a base and, in fact, the tower itself, made in the shape of an octagon. In order for the base to withstand such a colossal load, its walls are unusually thick: the internal ones reach up to 3 meters.

It is also interesting that the stone base of the tower was originally planned for various city needs.

The magistrate, the court, and the city council were located here at different times.

Subsequently, the first floor of the building was used for storage rooms, and later, when Solikamsk trade began to decline, it was used for arrest cells. Immediately after the revolution, the bell tower was occupied, making it a temporary dormitory. But then it got even worse: at the end of the 1920s, the first two floors began to be used to hold prisoners transferred to Vishera.

The premises inside the bell tower were finally destroyed in 1931, when people simply had nothing to heat the stoves with. Stairs, ceilings, floors and all the furniture remaining at that time were thrown into the fire. The tower was finally “finished off” by the careless removal of the bells - the decorative decoration that glorified it was almost completely destroyed. Endless warehouses, printing houses, and factories, which were located in the tower at different times, methodically destroyed and destroyed the building: the foundation was partially destroyed, huge cracks appeared on the walls, and the facades themselves were practically lost. However, restoration reached here only in the 1950s, and in last years the bell tower was almost completely restored.

By the way, this is one of those rare cases when modern restoration has benefited the monument. Currently, the tower houses the local history museum of the Solikamsk region, and the bell tower itself is used as an observation deck.

Solikamsk Museum of Local Lore, Solikamsk, st. Embankment, 93, www.skm.solkam.ru

3. Syuyumbike Tower

Kazan

Another leaning tower is located in the Kazan Kremlin - the heart of the Republic of Tatarstan. It was built exclusively as a guardhouse and therefore is located at some distance from the fortress walls. It consists of seven different tiers: the three lower ones are square, then 4 octahedrons are placed on them according to the principle of reduction. The angle of deflection of the spire is almost 2 meters and is clearly visible to the naked eye.

Unfortunately, it has still not been possible to determine the exact year of its construction, as well as the name of the architect. There are many hypotheses and scientific discussions on this matter. Today, the building is officially dated back to the 17th century. This date is also indicated in all Kazan guidebooks. In general, no matter where you point it, everything is a mystery. And who built it, and when, and how long ago did it begin to bend? Even the reason for this name remains not entirely clear. All that remains is to remember the folk legends that, perhaps, every resident of Kazan knows.

Who is it named after?

Once upon a time there lived Queen Syuyuk, the ruler of the Kazan Khanate. The queen was so kind, beautiful and fair that the people nicknamed her Syuyumbike - “beloved lady.”

However, Ivan the Terrible heard about the beautiful ruler and decided to Once again get married and proposed marriage to her. But Syuyumbike refused the groom, who was not to her heart. Then the formidable king himself came to the walls of Kazan with a huge army and invited Syuyumbika to think twice about his proposals, and so that she would not refuse again, he promised to destroy the city to the ground. The kind Syuyumbike decided to protect the residents from a destructive future and agreed to marry Ivan the Terrible, and as a gift asked to build a tower for her. According to legend, this tower was supposed to be built in 7 days, which was done. And after that, they threw a wedding feast. Before leaving, Syuyumbike climbed her tower to say goodbye to her beloved city, which she would never see again, and threw herself down from the top.

It remains to be said that business card The city has undergone several restorations and cosmetic repairs. The most large-scale one was carried out even before the revolution - then the lower tier was strengthened with a special steel bandage at the level of the heel of the arch, which significantly distorted the appearance of Syuyumbike, but implied additional strengthening and supposedly prevented greater rooting. After so many years, the bandage has, of course, become unusable, but no one has yet decided to remove it.

Currently, the tower is used as a minaret for reciting the azan during funeral prayers in honor of the victims of 1552. In this regard, its spire in 1993 was crowned with a gilded crescent.

State Historical, Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve Kazan Kremlin, Kazan, www.kazan-kremlin.ru

Traveling around Italy, many tourists rush to get to the city Pisa to see with your own eyes one of the Italian wonders - the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Leaning Tower of Pisa- This is the so-called leaning tower.

What is a "leaning tower"?

The Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy has gained worldwide fame due to its leaning, but there are many other leaning and leaning towers built in different parts of the world. In the same Italy, there are several more leaning towers; also leaning and leaning towers can be found in Germany, the Netherlands, Russia, China, the United Arab Emirates, the UK and many other countries.

Leaning and leaning towers in Italy

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Leaning Tower of Pisa- This is the eight-story bell tower of the Pisa Cathedral. The height of the building is approximately 56.7 meters, and the angle of inclination is 3° 54". The bell tower of the Pisa Cathedral was built intermittently for almost two centuries from 1173 to 1360. The tilt of the tower appeared after the construction of the third floor. The reason for the tilt of the building is the small foundation and unsuitable to compensate for the tilt, the upper floors were built with higher corridor ceilings on the side towards which the tower leaned, which led to curvature relative to the axis of symmetry. The last floor was built with an even greater bend, but this approach did not produce results, and the tower was built. it turned out to be inclined. Until the twentieth century, the Leaning Tower of Pisa gradually “fell”, deviating by about one millimeter from the vertical per year. And only at the beginning of the 21st century was it possible to stop the “fall” of the tower and even reduce the angle of inclination from 5° 30 "to 3°. 54" by excavating under the foundation.

Sometimes Italians make fun of tourists, telling how the leaning of the Leaning Tower of Pisa appeared:

“The architect Bonnano Pisano, at the request of the Catholic priests, built an elegant and completely straight bell tower for the Pisa Cathedral. The bell tower amazed with its grandeur and beauty. But the stingy Catholic priests refused to pay the architect for the work. Then Pisano approached the tower and said: “Follow me!” The bell tower tried to follow its creator and bent."

These days the name " Leaning Tower of Pisa“has become a household word: now this is the name given to unstable vertical structures or structures that have noticeably deviated from the vertical.

Two Italian leaning towers are located in the city center Bologna. Towers Asinelli (Asinelli) And Garisenda (Garisenda), named after the families of the first owners, were built in the 12th century. In medieval Bologna, rich families competed with each other, trying to build the most high tower. First, the Asinelli Tower appeared in the city center, which after construction tilted to the side due to uneven settlement of the soil under the foundation. Then came the Garisenda Tower, which was deliberately built slanted, mocking the neighboring tower. After completion of construction, the Garisenda was shortened several times to avoid collapse due to its critical slope. The height of the Asinelli tower is approximately 97.2 meters, and the angle of inclination is 1° 18". Asinelli is the tallest ancient leaning tower in the world. Garisenda is half the height of its neighbor (about 48 meters), but it tilts more to the side: towards our days, the deviation from the vertical at the top point of the tower is about three meters. But at the beginning of the 14th century. Alighieri Dante in his poem " The Divine Comedy” described only a slight deviation:

"Like Garisenda, if you stand under the overhang,
The summit seems to be falling little by little
Towards a cloud in the heights of heaven..."

Leaning and leaning towers in Germany

Germany also has leaning and leaning towers, and one of them even made it into the Guinness Book of Records. Bell tower of the church in the village of Zuurhusen (Suurhusen) deviated from the vertical at an angle of 5° 12", respectively, this is the most inclined ancient leaning tower in the world. The church building in Zuurhusen was built in the 13th century, and the bell tower was added later - in the 15th century. After construction, the bell tower began to tilt to the side due to due to the uneven settlement of the building, it was possible to stop the “fall” only at the end of the twentieth century.

Bell tower of the Upper Church in Bad Frankenhausen-Kyffhäuser

Upper Church V Bad Frankenhausen-Kyffhäuser was built in the 14th century. Since then, the church tower has been continuously leaning towards the ground. The angle of inclination of the tower is already greater than the inclination of the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, but the “fall” still cannot be stopped.

Leaning and leaning towers in the Netherlands

Oldehowe Tower

Oldehowe Tower- an unfinished bell tower in the center of a Dutch city Leeuwarden. Construction of the building began in the 16th century. Locals wanted to add a bell tower to their church, which would surpass in height the bell tower of St. Martin's Church in the neighboring town Groningen. The tower began to tilt already at the initial stage of construction. Noticing this, the builders tried to compensate for the tilt by completing the upper level, which is why the tower became not only inclined, but also crooked. As a result, the construction of the bell tower, which reached a height of about forty meters, had to be stopped, and the church was completely dismantled due to the danger of collapse.

Bell tower of the Old Church in Delft

Oude Kerk(translated from Dutch - Old Church ) - a Gothic church in a Dutch city Delft. The church was built in the 13th century, and in the 14th century a bell tower was added to it. Over time, the 75-meter bell tower deviated from the vertical by almost 2 meters (angle of inclination - 1° 30").

Leaning and leaning towers in Russia

Tower Syuyumbike

One of the Russian leaning towers is located in the third capital of Russia -. Tower Syuyumbike- inclined watchtower of the Kazan Kremlin. The height of the building is approximately 58 meters, and the deviation of the top of the spire from the vertical is 1.98 meters. The date of construction of the tower still remains a mystery. There are many legends about this Kazan skyscraper, but most of them are just fiction. For example, according to one legend, the tower was built by order of Ivan the Terrible in seven days - one tier per day. I wish I could bend over after such high-speed construction! Nowadays, the leaning tower of Syuyumbike is recognized architectural symbol Kazan and is widely known far beyond Tatarstan.

Nevyansk Tower

Nevyansk Tower- a leaning tower located in the center of the Ural city Nevyansk. The tower was built at the beginning of the 18th century by order of the famous industrialist Akinfiy Demidov. The height of the building is 57.5 meters, and the deviation of the tower from the vertical at the top point is approximately 1.85 meters. The angle of inclination of the building from the lower to the upper tier decreases, so it can be assumed that during construction the workers tried to compensate for the mistake made at the stage of laying the foundation and during the construction of the lower level of the tower walls. Thus, the upper tiers were built with a tilt in the opposite direction, which is why the tower acquired a saber-shaped bend. However, there is also an opinion that the building was deliberately built inclined so that Nevyansk could have its own Leaning Tower of Pisa. Also, a legend is sometimes told that the tilt of the tower appeared after Demidov, fearing an inspection by an auditor, ordered the basement of the building in which he allegedly minted counterfeit coins to be flooded. The legend about the flooded basement is just one of many legends about the tower in Nevyansk. Mysticism and mysteries surround this sloping Ural skyscraper. For example, after the construction of the tower, grounding was connected to its spire, that is, the building was equipped with a lightning rod a quarter of a century before it was invented by Benjamin Franklin. Visitors to the tower are also amazed by the so-called “ acoustic room”, in which, standing in one corner, you can clearly hear what is being said in a whisper in the opposite corner. It is also worth mentioning the unique English chiming clock mounted on the tower. The Nevyansk Tower is one of the most mysterious leaning towers in the world, although it is not the tallest or most inclined.

More falling towers can be found in Solikamsk, Kungur and some other Russian cities.

Leaning and Leaning Towers in China

Tiger Hill Pagoda

Tiger Hill Pagoda- an inclined tower in China, it is often called that way: “ Leaning Tower of China" The tower was built in the 10th century, and in the 17th century the tower was lengthened by adding an extension on top. As a result, the height of the tower is approximately 47 meters, while the deviation from the vertical is 2.32 meters, that is, the angle of inclination of the tower is almost 3 degrees. The “fall” of the tower was stopped in the middle of the twentieth century, and now the tower is in a stable equilibrium position.

Leaning and leaning towers in the UAE

Capital Gate

Most often, ancient towers became leaning and inclined due to miscalculations of architects and builders, but today engineers deliberately build inclined buildings. Capital Gate, better known as Leaning Tower of Abu Dhabi, is a modern tilting skyscraper in the capital of the United United Arab Emirates. The height of the building is 160 meters, and the angle of inclination is 18 degrees. The skyscraper is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the building with the greatest angle of inclination in the world.

Leaning and leaning towers in the UK

Big Ben

Surprisingly, one of the most recognizable symbols of Great Britain is Big Ben (Big Ben ) is also a leaning tower. The inclination of the 96-meter Big Ben is only 0° 15", and the deviation from the vertical is 0.44 meters. Visually, the inclination is not even noticeable. It is only a stretch to call Big Ben a leaning tower, but it is also impossible to say that the tower is not inclined at all .

The most falling towers

So, let's summarize:

The most famous leaning tower in the world is the Leaning Tower of Pisa (Italy).

The tallest ancient leaning tower in the world is the Asinelli Tower in Bologna (Italy).
The height of the tower is approximately 97.2 meters.

The most inclined ancient leaning tower in the world is the bell tower of the church in the village of Zuurhusen (Germany).
The tilt angle of the tower is 5° 12".

One of the most mysterious leaning towers in the world is the Nevyansk Tower (Russia).

Most oblique modern building in the world - the Capital Gate skyscraper in Abu Dhabi (UAE).
The tilt angle of the building is 18 degrees.

And finally, you don’t have to go to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower, because you can find such a unique landmark somewhere closer.

Leaning towers on the world map

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There are many leaning towers in the world - tower-shaped buildings that, for completely different reasons, have deviated from their vertical state and are tilting dangerously. Typically, the tilt of towers occurs due to changes in soil properties or due to errors by builders when laying foundations. Oddly enough, such towers often become attractions that attract crowds of tourists. Some of these leaning towers, due to their high historical and artistic value, are included in the List cultural heritage humanity, or in the Guinness Book of Records. Let's take a look at the 12 most interesting and famous leaning towers.

Capital Gate is a modern skyscraper in Abu Dhabi, which is included in the Guinness Book of Records as the tower with the highest slope in the world. The tilt angle of the structure is 18 degrees. Unlike the other structures in this article, the skyscraper was specifically designed and built with a slope.

The church in Zuurhusen is located in East Friesland in northwestern Germany. Before its construction in 2010, the Capital Gate Tower in Abu Dhabi was the most tilted tower in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records. The Zuurhuzene spire deviated from the vertical axis by 5.19 degrees with a tower height of only 24.7 m.

The bell tower of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, or the Leaning Tower of Pisa, is undoubtedly the most famous “leaning” tower in the world. The first stone of its foundation was laid on August 9, 1173. The tilt angle of the tower is 4 degrees.

In the capital of Ukraine, the city of Kyiv, there is also a falling landmark - the Great Lavra Bell Tower of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. It was built in 1731-1745 and today it deviates from the vertical by 62 cm in the northeast direction.

Big Ben, London, UK. The clock tower of the British Parliament leaned to the northwest by 0.26 degrees or 43.5 cm. It seems like a little, but for the British this is already a whole event.

The two towers Asinelli and Garisenda in Bologna, Italy, are falling despite all the efforts of the city authorities. The larger tower is called Asinelli, and the smaller but more off-axis tower is called Garisenda. Its deviation is already more than 3.22 meters.

The tower on the hillside of the Frankenhausen Church (Germany) on the outskirts of the city is constantly exposed to strong winds.

Tower in Nevyansk, Russia. The Nevyansk Tower also falls. The tower is located in the center of Nevyansk and is one of the most famous in the Middle Urals. The construction was financed by Peter the Great and was built in the first half of the 18th century by the famous Russian builder Akinfiy Demidov. The height of the tower is 57.5 m. According to the latest measurements, the deviation of the upper part of the tower from the vertical is currently 2.20 m.

Tiger Hill Pagoda or also Huqiu Tower is located in the city of Suzhou, in Jiangsu Province. The tower was built in the late period of the Fifth Dynasty (907-960 AD), its height is 47 m. For more than a thousand years, Tiger Hill Pagoda has been steadily tilting due to unfavorable weather conditions. The tilt of the tower today is 2.32 m.

The Tower of Burano, or the Church of St. Martin on one of the Venetian islands - Burano, Italy. The tower was built in the 15th century and began to tilt due to the unstable island soil. It does not fall only because it rests on a nearby building.

The Oude Kerk Church is located in the ancient center of Delft, the Netherlands. Its bell tower, built in 1350, is 75 meters high and currently has a slope of about 1.98 m.

Bedum Tower, Netherlands, is located in the northern Dutch town of Bedum, and also leans more and more every year. With its height of 35.7 meters, the tower deviated from the vertical by 2.61 m.

The bell tower of the Tikhvin Church in the city of Kungur is little known. However, built in the 1880s and 70 meters high, it leaned immediately after construction and has a slope of 3.5 degrees. The Tikhvin Church is an architectural monument of federal significance.

There are many leaning towers in the world that, for completely different reasons, have deviated from their vertical state and are tilting dangerously. Typically, the tilt of towers occurs due to changes in soil properties or due to errors by builders when laying foundations. Oddly enough, such towers often become attractions that attract crowds of tourists. Some of these leaning towers, due to their high historical and artistic value, are included in the List of Cultural Heritage of Humanity, or in the Guinness Book of Records.

The bell tower of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, or the Leaning Tower of Pisa, is undoubtedly the most famous “leaning” tower in the world. The first stone of its foundation was laid on August 9, 1173. The tilt angle of the tower is 4 degrees.

The church in Zuurhusen is located in East Friesland in northwestern Germany. Before its construction in 2010, the Capital Gate Tower in Abu Dhabi was the most tilted tower in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records. The Zuurhuzen spire deviated from the vertical axis by 5.19 degrees with a tower height of only 24.7 meters.

In the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv, there is also a falling landmark - the Great Lavra Bell Tower of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. It was built in 1731-1745 and today it deviates from the vertical by 62 cm in the northeast direction.

Big Ben, London, UK. The clock tower of the British Parliament leaned to the northwest by 0.26 degrees or 43.5 cm. It seems like a little, but for the British this is already a whole event.

The two towers of Asinelli and Garisenda in Bologna, Italy, are falling despite all the efforts of the city authorities. The larger tower is called Asinelli, and the smaller but more off-axis tower is called Garisenda. Its deviation is already more than 3.22 meters.

The tower on the hillside of the Frankenhausen Church (Germany) on the outskirts of the city is constantly exposed to strong winds.

Tower in Nevyansk, Russia. The tower is located in the center of Nevyansk and is one of the most famous in the Middle Urals. The construction was financed by Peter the Great, built in the first half of the 18th century by the famous Russian builder Akinfiy Demidov. The height of the tower is 57.5 m. According to the latest measurements, the deviation of the upper part of the tower from the vertical is currently 2.20 m.

Tiger Hill Pagoda or Huqiu Tower is located in Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province. The tower was built in the late period of the Fifth Dynasty (907-960 AD), its height is 47 m. For more than a thousand years, Tiger Hill Pagoda continues to tilt. The tilt of the tower today is 2.32 m.

The Tower of Burano, or the Church of St. Martin on one of the Venetian islands - Burano, Italy. The tower was built in the 15th century. Due to the unstable island soil, it began to tilt. It does not fall only because it rests on a nearby building.

The Oude Kerk Church is located in the ancient center of Delft, the Netherlands. Its bell tower, built in 1350, is 75 meters high and currently has a slope of 1.98 m.

Bedum Tower, Netherlands, is located in the northern Dutch town of Bedum, and also leans more and more every year. With its height of 35.7 meters, the tower deviated from the vertical by 2.61 m.

Bell tower of the Tikhvin Church in the city of Kungur. Built in the 1880s and standing 70 meters high, it leaned as soon as it was built and has a slope of 3.5 degrees. The Tikhvin Church is an architectural monument of federal significance.

Capital Gate is a modern skyscraper in Abu Dhabi, which is included in the Guinness Book of Records as the highest leaning tower in the world. The tilt angle is 18 degrees. Unlike the other structures in this article, the skyscraper was specifically designed and built with a slope. But why? To surprise the world in Arabic?