COLOGNE - The German city of Cologne has its own leaning tower now. The 40-meter belfry of St. Johan Baptist Church moved aside for the entire meter (approximately 3 feet). The church was erected over a thousand years ago, while the bell tower itself has been restored after the war.
According to the information from the City Council representative, the move of the belfry was caused by boring works in one of the tunnels when building the subway route. The police immediately blocked the access to the building and urged 70 people residing in the adjacent
properties to evacuate.
German media reported that the police learned about the hazard from the automatic alarm system that went on after one of the power supply cables was damaged. That again was the consequence of the boring works.
Transport Department representative in Cologne assured that the tower will not move any further. “The tower is now in its stable position”, he admitted. However, the ‘leaning tower’ will be reinforced with steel bearings to ensure its safe position.