Look! Leaning Tower of Pisa Replica

So, so weird. We've heard about this for years, and finally thought we'd check out the 1/2 size replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa in...Niles, Illinois. This northwest suburb boasts the replica (which serves as a utility water tower), as well as some lovely fountains and seating areas all around. Last year we were lucky to visit Pisa for a local wedding, and our hotel was a stone's throw from the real tower. Now that we're back home and longing for an escape, we thought our ten minutes in Niles was pretty fun (and funny). Ever been?

Find info on the Niles tower here; located at 6300 W. Touhy Avenue in Niles, IL.

Comments (6)

Isn't there a replica restored Parthenon in Nashville? And I think that one is to scale.

posted by liabungalo on August 13th 2008 at 9:26am
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You can imagine our reactions here in Europe when we see things like this !

What can I say? We have a replica statue of Liberty here in Poitiers, about 1/10th size :-)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/23/Statue_de_la_Libert%C3%A9_%C3%A0_Poitiers.JPG

Yes, she is holding a.... uh, a.... carrot?

posted by Daniel Poitiers on August 13th 2008 at 9:30am
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I've seen this on a number of occasions and remember car dealerships using it as a landmark in their TV commercials, "across from the Leaning Tower, in Niles..." but I never realized it's actually a water tower!

posted by Benjy on August 13th 2008 at 9:56am
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i think its funny that the people running are also crooked.

posted by mfpants on August 13th 2008 at 10:10am
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Here's the Parthenon in Nashville. It's in a nice park with a pond.

http://www.nashville.gov/parthenon/

posted by Shawn on August 13th 2008 at 11:14am
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I found seeing it really thrilling. I thought it was going to be 'naff' but it is amazing. There were millions of tourists all being photographed as though they were trying to push it straight. The replica here doesn't look as if its the right colour.

posted by hrhprincessfiona on August 13th 2008 at 11:17am
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