Leaning Tower of Toruń

The Leaning Tower of Toruń is a medieval Gothic brick structure that rises along the southeastern edge of the Old Town. Its red masonry walls tilt noticeably to one side and reach approximately 15 meters in height, with the top displaced about one and a half meters from vertical.

The tower was erected in the 13th century as part of the medieval fortifications that surrounded Toruń. After its defensive role ended in the 18th century, the building converted into a prison for women.

The name Krzywa Wieża simply means "crooked tower" in Polish, and this straightforward nickname has endured for centuries as locals used the tilted building as a landmark. Today it serves as a popular photo spot where visitors attempt playful poses that create optical illusions of pushing or straightening the leaning walls.

The tower sits on Pod Krzywą Wieżą street and typically opens from 10 AM to 6 PM, though hours may shift with the season. Narrow doorways and steep interior spaces make it challenging for visitors with limited mobility.

During the 19th century, the slanted building housed a blacksmith workshop and later a gunsmith residence, both of which incorporated the odd tilt into their daily work. Visitors often notice the interior gives a mildly disorienting feeling when trying to stand on the sloped floors.