The Leaning Tower is undoubtedly the most attractive and famous tower in Toruń.
The Leaning Tower was a typical fortified tower, built as a part of the city walls at the turn of the 14th century clearly as a straight tower. Initially, despite its four-wall foundation, it did not have the front wall, which facilitated hoisting ammunition onto the higher floors.
This popular tourist attraction leant as early as the Middle Ages presumably due to the instability of the ground and has been stable ever since. The tilt of the 15-metre (49.2 feet) tower is currently 146 cm (4.8 feet) off the perpendicular on the side of the street.
In the 18th century, the tower ceased to perform its defensive function. The fourth wall was added and the ceilings were levelled, while the whole building was designated as prison for women. In the 19th century the tower was converted into a forge and a flat for a gunsmith, while in the second half of the 19th century it was used solely for accommodation purposes. Nowadays it houses a pub and Municipal Instiutution of Culture Toruń 2016.
