The Leaning Tower of Zaragoza, built in 1504, was an architectural marvel that soon became notorious for its tilt, likely caused by hasty construction. By the 19th century, the tower’s alarming tilt prompted city officials to take action, and in 1878, they removed its triple spire in a desperate attempt to stabilize it.

Unfortunately, this measure proved insufficient, and in 1892, the tower was demolished, an act that has since been referred to as the “greatest artistic crime committed in Spain.” Today, a statue of a small, solitary boy gazes out toward the spot where the famous leaning tower once stood, a poignant reminder of Zaragoza’s lost architectural gem that has been absent from the city’s skyline for over a century.