Did you know that Germany has its own leaning tower?

A church belfry in Bad Frankenhausen is taller and more crooked than the one in Pisa. Located in Thuringia, Germany, this belfry stands at 56 meters high and leans even further than its famous Italian counterpart. Despite its impressive features, it remains relatively unknown to the public. However, the local government aims to change that by turning it into a tourist attraction.

Bad Frankenhausen sees the potential in attracting visitors to its leaning belfry. Plans are underway to stabilize the spire and create a modern visitor center to accommodate the influx of tourists eager to take photos pretending to support the structure. The leaning spire of the Oberkirche church boasts a slant of 4.93 degrees, surpassing the Pisan tower’s 3.97 degrees.

The church and tower, dating back to the 14th century, first showed signs of lean in 1640 due to unstable soil caused by salt washing the gypsum sublayer. Engineering advancements in the 20th century helped secure the spire. To enhance its appeal as a tourist spot, local authorities seek guidance from Pisa. The goal is to open the tower to visitors by 2025, converting the former church into a visitor center.

Tourism director Katja Rudoph expects a surge in visitors to the site, prompting plans to build two new hotels with a total of 375 beds. Visit soon before it becomes a common sight on your friends’ Instagram feeds.