The Baltic Gothic church in Suurhusen is reminiscent of the old fortress churches. Originally, it was 32 meters long and 9.35 meters wide. In 1450, the church was shortened by about a quarter and the tower was built in the resulting space. The Schiefer Kirchturm von Suurhusen (Leaning Tower of Suurhusen) is 27.37 meters high with a projection of 2.47 meters. It tilts at an angle of 5.19 degrees, while the inclination of the Leaning Tower of Pisa is only 3.97 degrees. This inclination makes the Schiefer Kirchturm von Suurhusen (Leaning Tower of Suurhusen) the most inclined tower in the world. A record that is also recognized in Guinness World Records.
According to local historian Tjabbo van Lessen, the church was built in the Middle Ages in a swampy area on oak log foundations that were insulated from groundwater. When the land was drained in the 19th century, the wood rotted, causing the tower to lean. The tower was closed to the public in 1975 for safety reasons, and reopened 10 years later after being stabilized.
