A Full Scale Replica in Illinois

The iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa has a half-sized twin sitting in a Chicago suburb. Built in 1934, this structure was not meant for tourism, but served as a water tank for a company employee park.

Industrialist Robert Ilg commissioned the tower to hide a massive water reservoir that supplied the swimming pools for his workers. It stands exactly half the height of the original Italian landmark, complete with its own intentional tilt. While the original was a mistake, this replica was a deliberate architectural homage. It remains a quirky landmark that catches many commuters by surprise.