The Record Institute for Germany (RID) has confirmed: The village bell tower of Gau-Weinheim is the most crooked – in the whole world. A certificate was awarded for this on Sunday.
The Leaning Tower of Gau-Weinheim (district of Alzey-Worms) has history. First the medieval building was a defense tower, in 1749 it was converted into a bell tower. Now he is a certified record holder.
Due to the inclination of 5.4277 degrees, it is even leaner than a tower from the East Frisian city of Suurhusen – which only has an angle of inclination of 5.19 degrees, so that Record Institute for Germany (RID). A measurement in July has already confirmed the inclination of the tower next to a church.
Record certificate for the world’s leaning tower in Gau-Weinheim
On Sunday, RID presented the certificate confirming the new world record as part of the “Day of the Open Monument” in Gau-Weinheim. “The officially most leaning tower in the world hasn’t been the one in Pisa for a number of years, even if popular opinion still says otherwise,” says RID record judge Olaf Kuchenbecker.
“As early as 2007, Pisa was replaced by a tower in the East Frisian town of Suurhusen.” According to RID, the tower in Pisa only has an inclination of 3.97 degrees after renovation. Since this year, the world record has been in Gau-Weinheim. “I am very happy to personally certify the world record and to award the local church with a record certificate,” said Kunkebecker.
Several thousand euros for a certificate from the record institute for Germany
However, a world record is expensive. The citizens of Gau-Weinheim raised money with a village festival – the original goal was even an entry in the Guinness Book of Records. That would have cost 17,000 euros.
Finally, enough money was raised via the crowdfunding platform of the regional energy supplier EWR to have the record certified by RID.
A tower with radiance and as a tourist magnet
Heiko Sippel, the district administrator of the Alzey-Worms district, hopes that the Leaning Tower of Gau-Weinheim will attract tourists to the region. In addition to the leaning tower, there is also Rheinhessen wine to discover here.
“We are a small community with a small bell tower, but it has enormous appeal.”
Institute tests top performance
The Record Institute for Germany (RID) claims to be the German-language counterpart to the internationally oriented record book from London. The RID collects and examines top performances from the German-speaking area and recognizes world records. On request, RID will certify excellent world records with the official presentation of record certificates. The RID has no connection to Guinness World Records.