thumb|The center of [[Nevyansk (viewer's left to viewer's right): Old Believers' church (domed), the Leaning Tower (white spire), and the monument to Peter I of Russia and Nikita Demidov (cast metal figures)]]
thumb|View from the north
The Leaning Tower of Nevyansk () is a tower built in the 18th century located within the town of Nevyansk, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia. The construction was funded by the blacksmith and industrialist Nikita Demidov and later his son Akinfiy Demidov, a famous Russian manufacturer and associate of Peter I. However, the architect is not presently known.
The height of the tower is ,
Following the restoration, the Nevyansk Tower was opened to the public. Guided tours are provided by a local museum and tourist guides from Yekaterinburg.
Technical parameters
- The base is a square with sides of 9.5 metres.
- Vertical deviation of the tower is about 1.85 metres.
- Secular sediment is 0.9 millimetres per year.
- The height is 57.5 metres.
- The thickness of the walls is 2 metres at the base, 32 centimetres at the top level.
- The weathercock weighs 25 kilograms and is 178 centimetres long.
- The diameter of the ball-lightning rod is 30 centimetres; the length of the spike-ray is 40 centimetres.
- The musical chime has 10 copper bells and 1 bronze bell weighing more than a ton.
Purpose
Historians still debate the built purpose of the Nevyansk Tower. It was likely meant to embody the might of the Demidov family and serve as an architectural symbol of their dynasty. It has been suggested that it was also used as a "bank safe", a watchtower, a belltower, prison,
Sources
- Most of the article was translated from the original Russian text in the Itogi Weekly magazine [http://www.itogi.ru/paper2002.nsf/Article/Itogi_2002_10_21_13_2351.html]
- Additional material was translated from the Russian text at http://7.ural.ru
- Additional information and photos of Nevyansk tower [http://en.visit-ekaterinburg.com/naviansk]