Baszta Koci Ogon w Toruniu, Gothic fortified tower in Toruń, Poland
Baszta Koci Ogon is a medieval brick tower with Gothic decorative elements that rises across multiple stories in shades of red. The structure displays different bonding patterns in its masonry and features a noticeable lean that makes it visually distinctive.
The tower was constructed in the late 1200s or early 1300s as part of Toruń's city defensive walls and originally contained a basement and two floors. Over the centuries it underwent changes and was adapted for different purposes as the city evolved.
The tower has served many different purposes over time, functioning as a military fortress, then as a women's prison and blacksmith's workshop before becoming a restaurant today. This varied history of uses shapes how people in the city view and experience the building now.
The tower sits in the middle of Toruń's old town and is easy to reach on foot from most locations. Daytime visits work best to appreciate the structure and its distinctive lean in natural light.
The tower leans about 1.5 meters (5 feet) to one side due to shifting ground beneath it, making it somewhat similar to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This tilt developed gradually over the centuries and has become one of the most noticeable features visitors see when approaching it.
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