Midlum/Slate Bell Tower

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Welcome to Midlum - the Pisa of the Rheiderland! The bell tower next to the village's reformed church is a small world sensation. The 14-metre-high bell tower has an angle of inclination of about 6.7 degrees, making it the most crooked bell tower in the world. It was probably built in the 13th century.

Even during its construction, the builders had to struggle with the difficult spongy soil conditions on site and already at that time the tower was already towards one side. Two bells, dating back to 1796 and 1961, hang inside the tower. But: who has the most crooked one? For decades there was a competition between the bell tower in Midlum and of the church in Suurhusen near Emden. The latter, however, has an angle of inclination of "only" 5.19 degrees. However, the tower is not free-standing, but part of the church building. Since September 2022, a fortified tower in Gau-Weinheim in Rhineland-Palatinate has held the title. Its angle of inclination is 5.4 degrees. That is still far less than in Midlum. The bell tower in Midlum is not recognised as a "real tower", because of its squat construction and compact footprint of 7.30 metres by 9 metres. Nevertheless, it has the highest blessing. Because as they say in Lower-Sxony tongue. Krumm und scheef hett Gott leev - God loves even crooked and crooked.