12 Most Unusual Towers Around The World

The world is full of ancient and modern towers built as part of a more prominent building or a stand-alone structure. They are constructed to serve a purpose. It varies from being a viewing platform, a fortress, or operation access for the public among others.

12 of these towers are tourists and photographers’ favorites because of their extraordinary features. Check them out as we feature each one of them.

#1. Ivy Tower, Belgium

This tower covered with ivy vines is a part of the 15th-century Gruuthuse museum in Bruges City, Belgium.

During autumn, the ivy leaves turn into a kaleidoscopic color of red, yellow, brown, and orange.

#2. Guinigi Tower, Italy

Guinigi Tower is a part of the palace in the walled city of Lucca, Tuscany.

It was built to preserve the prestige of family Guinigi during the 14th century.

The last descendant gifted the structure to the town.

One defining feature of Torre Guinigi Tower is the roof garden with centuries-old oak trees.

#3. Kalyazin Tower, Russia

The Kalyazin Bell Tower sits atop an islet, which has a small pier for visiting ships.

This 244 feet Neoclassical steepled belfry was originally constructed around 1796-1800 as a part of the Monastery of St Nicholas. The primary structure along with other medieval buildings was submerged in the waters when Stalin ordered the construction of Uglich Reservoir in 1939.

#4. The Leaning Tower of Yekaterinburg, Russia

With a towering height of 720 feet (220 meters), the unfinished Yekaterinburg TV Tower is an astonishing sight.

It was supposed to reach 1,310 feet (400 meters) but the construction, which started in 1983 was put to a stop in the 1990s.

It has 26 floors with 3 parts- the tower, the metallic aerial, and the base with the lower joint-work.

To reach the top of the tower, visitors must climb using concrete stairs. Due to some engineering miscalculations, the tower is slightly leaning. But there’s no immediate danger of toppling down according to experts.

#5. Ciechanow Tower, Poland

This water tower has a hyperboloid geometrical structure to maximize strength.

Jerzy Michal Boguslawsk built the tower in 1972. There was a plan to use the tower top as an observation platform and a restaurant. But it didn’t materialize, and the tower is presently unused.

#6. The Pirate Tower, USA

A medieval, rocket-looking tower in Laguna Beach, California is a rare landmark.

Its original purpose was to be private access to the beach. The construction started in 1926 but was later abandoned.

The 60 feet (18 meters) high tower which looked like it is being carved out of the rocky cliff can be viewed during low tide.

#7. Sathorn Unique, Thailand

Intended to be a luxurious residential skyscraper with shops and 600 units, the Sathorn Unique construction in the city of Bangkok was put on hold in 1998.

It is now home to crows which are seen circling the pinnacle and to rats in the lower levels.

Urban expats consider it as one of the places to see during the city exploration.

Whether it will be what it meant to be is still a looming question.

#8. Cheminée Moretti, France

This exceptional structure painted with 19 different colors is designed by French Artist Raymond Moretti.

Six hundred seventy-two (672) fiberglass pipe with diameters that range from 1-12 inches (2-30 cm) was used to create this beautiful structure. It has a total of 22 kilometers in length and a weight of 27.5 tons.

#9. Shime Tower, Japan

Unharmed during the World War I, this abandoned winding tower of Shime coal mine was rumored to employ Allied POWs. Dating back to 1941, the construction of the tower increased the yield of the coal mine.

The odd design of this 156.3 feet (47.65m) tall structure housed the control rooms and offices of the mine.

Inside it, huge cable reels were used to raise heavy loads of coals from the underground tunnel, then lowered to empty containers. The mine was about 1,431 feet (430 meters) deep. It was established in 1889 and ceased its operation in 1964.

#10. Montreal Tower, Canada

This stunning structure is the world’s tallest inclined tower.

With a 450-degree angle and a height of 574 feet (175 meters), the Montréal Tower is integrated 10 meters below ground level into the base of The Olympic Stadium.

The complex internal structures, which include a base with a mass of 145,000 tons and a top with 8,000 tons, are the secrets of this architectural masterpiece.

To reach the Tower Observatory on the top, you have to take a breathtaking 2-minute ride inside a glass-encased funicular that accommodates up to 76 people.

The panoramic view above is solely fantastic, prompting the world-renowned Michelin Guide to give it a 3-star rating.

#11. Tower of Wind, Japan

Floating in the middle of an ocean in the southeast part of Tokyo’s Haneda airport is a white circular base holding two oval-shaped structures with white and blue stripes.

This is the “Kaze no to” or the Tower of Wind.

It serves as the ventilation shaft of the Tokyo Bay Aqualine, an underwater tunnel that runs from Yokohama to Chiba.

The tube, which was built for 31 years, is located 130 feet (40 meters) undersea and cost around 11.2 billion dollars.

#12. PL Peace Tower, Japan

This 600-foot (183 meters) unique structure is a monument to honor the perished souls of war.

There is a shrine inside it where the names of the victims were recorded on microfilm and placed in a golden container. It is located at the Church of Perfect Liberty headquarters in Tondabayashi, Osaka.

The original construction in 1970 used clay, then later employed the “shotcrete” technique (spraying concrete to wire netting system).

Every 6th of July, the church members held the “PL Art of Fireworks” to celebrate the passing of their original founder.

Using 25,000 shells and another 7,000 shells on the finale, it carries the record of being one of the world’s largest fireworks display sites.

Now, we can say that behind the silent facade of these towering structures are significant tales that remain a mystery. No need to say, we all want to see them in the near future.