BEDUM, Netherlands—A 12th-century building in the northern Dutch town of Bedum now leans more than the well-known Tower of Pisa in Italy, reports Reuters. Retired geometrician Jacob van Dijk said measurements on Bedum's 118-foot church tower of Walfridus proved that the Pisa structure is now in second place, since part of its tilt was corrected during a restoration.

The Pisa tower stands 183 feet high and tilts about 13 feet, while Bedum's, at 117 feet high, leans 8.5 feet. If the towers were the same height, however, Van Dijk notes that Bedum would tilt a few inches more than its Italian rival. Van Dijk said, "In Italy they're happy with the result, but here in Bedum we are much more happy, because the tower of Pisa is now leaning less than the tower of Bedum."