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The Towers and Spires ClipArt gallery provides 62 illustrations of tall structures built for a variety of purposes.

Santos Dumont's Airship rounding the Eiffel Tower.

Airship

Santos Dumont's Airship rounding the Eiffel Tower.

The Asinelli and Garisenda Towers, Bologna.

Asinelli and Garisenda Towers

The Asinelli and Garisenda Towers, Bologna.

"The town clock of Athens in the Hellenistic Age." -Breasted, 1914

Athenian Town Clock

"The town clock of Athens in the Hellenistic Age." -Breasted, 1914

"Tower of Earl's Barton Church, Northhamptonshire." —D'Anvers, 1895

Tower of Barton Church

"Tower of Earl's Barton Church, Northhamptonshire." —D'Anvers, 1895

One of the earliest square towers near Orleans, France.

Tower of Beaugency

One of the earliest square towers near Orleans, France.

"Belfry or Bell-gable, Idbury, Oxfordshire." — Chambers' Encyclopedia, 1875

Belfry

"Belfry or Bell-gable, Idbury, Oxfordshire." — Chambers' Encyclopedia, 1875

An illustration of a bell tower in Augusta, Georgia as seen in 1874.

Bell Tower

An illustration of a bell tower in Augusta, Georgia as seen in 1874.

An illustration of the bell tower at St. Giorgio in Velabro, Rome.

Bell Tower

An illustration of the bell tower at St. Giorgio in Velabro, Rome.

"Chulpa or Burial Tower, Peru." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Burial Tower

"Chulpa or Burial Tower, Peru." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

"The usual form of independent monumental tombs was a ponderous tower-shaped block, sometimes square, and sometimes round, with a quadrangular substructure; as, for instance, the tomb of Cæcilia Metella at Rome, which belongs to the time of Julius Cæsar, and which was used in the Middle Ages as a fortress, with battlements added to it.

Tomb of Cæcilia Metella

"The usual form of independent monumental tombs was a ponderous tower-shaped block, sometimes square,…

"Campanile and Facade of SS Giovanni E Paolo." — Young, 1901

Campanile

"Campanile and Facade of SS Giovanni E Paolo." — Young, 1901

An illustrations of a campanile in the Palazzo del Signore in Verona, Italy.

Campanile

An illustrations of a campanile in the Palazzo del Signore in Verona, Italy.

Giotto's bell tower (campanile) stands on the Cathedral square (Piazza del Duomo) in Florence, Italy. This bell tower is one of the showpieces of the Florentine gothic style. Standing isolated next to the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore and in front of the Baptistery of St. John, this splendid construction attracts the eye and the admiration of every art lover by its design, rich sculptural decorations and the many-coloured marble encrustations.

Giotto's Campanile

Giotto's bell tower (campanile) stands on the Cathedral square (Piazza del Duomo) in Florence, Italy.…

St Mark's Campanile is the bell tower of St Mark's Basilica in Venice, Italy, located in the square (piazza) of the same name. It is a recognizable symbol of the city. The tower is 98.6 meters tall, and stands alone in a corner of St Mark's Square, near the front of the basilica. It has a simple form, the bulk of which is a plain brick shaft, 12 meters on a side and 50 meters tall, above which is the arched belfry, housing five bells. The belfry is topped by a cube, alternate faces of which show walking lions and the female representation of Venice (la Giustizia: Justice). The tower is capped by a pyramidal spire, at the top of which sits a golden weathervane in the form of the archangel Gabriel. The campanile reached its present form in 1514. As it stands today, however, the tower is a reconstruction, completed in 1912 after the collapse of 1902.

St. Mark's Campanile

St Mark's Campanile is the bell tower of St Mark's Basilica in Venice, Italy, located in the square…

A European castle.

Castle

A European castle.

The cathedral and bell tower in Florence, Italy built by Brunelleschi.

Cathedral and Bell Tower

The cathedral and bell tower in Florence, Italy built by Brunelleschi.

Architecture of Cathredals in England. Central Tower in the Norwich Cathedral, Norman Style.

Central Tower

Architecture of Cathredals in England. Central Tower in the Norwich Cathedral, Norman Style.

Formerly it was the parish church of Chelsea when it was a village, before it was engulfed by London. The building originally consisted of a 13th century chancel with chapels to the north and south (c.1325) and a nave and tower built in 1670.

Old Church at Chelsea

Formerly it was the parish church of Chelsea when it was a village, before it was engulfed by London.…

Tower of Barton-on-Humber church, Lincolnshire. Saxon Architecture is the earliest stage of native English architecture, its period being from the conversion of England to Christianity till the conquest or near it, when Norman architecture began to prevail.

Barton-on-Humber Church

Tower of Barton-on-Humber church, Lincolnshire. Saxon Architecture is the earliest stage of native English…

The tower is the only remaining piece of the Earls Barton Church in Northamptonshire, England. It is one of the best examples of Saxon architecture.

Earls Barton Church

The tower is the only remaining piece of the Earls Barton Church in Northamptonshire, England. It is…

The Bergues Clock Tower. Bergues, a town in the Department of Nord, France, on the Colme river.

Clock Tower

The Bergues Clock Tower. Bergues, a town in the Department of Nord, France, on the Colme river.

"The Eiffel Tower is a notable structure in Paris, France. The plans for the Paris exposition of 1889 included a monstrous iron tower, to be raised on the Champs-de-Mars, 1,000 feet high. The designer, Gustave Eiffel, constructed it of iron lattice-work, with three sets of elevators giving access to the summit."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Eiffel Tower

"The Eiffel Tower is a notable structure in Paris, France. The plans for the Paris exposition of 1889…

The Eiffel Tower, a global icon on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France stands 984 feet high.

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower, a global icon on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France stands 984 feet high.

"Gable Tower, Dormans, France. A tower finished with gables on two sides or on all four sides, instead of terminating in a spire, a parapet, or otherwise." -Whitney, 1911

Gable Tower in France

"Gable Tower, Dormans, France. A tower finished with gables on two sides or on all four sides, instead…

The tower of Giralda is a mosque in Seville.

Giralda

The tower of Giralda is a mosque in Seville.

The old donjon (tower or keep) of the Godesburg surmounts on the hill of the same name sits but a little distance from Bonn. Some say the hill itself was anciently devoted to the worship of Mercury while others maintain that the early structure known to have stood for was an open court of justice, of German tribes.

Godesburg

The old donjon (tower or keep) of the Godesburg surmounts on the hill of the same name sits but a little…

A headgear is a wood or steel frame carrying hoisting ropes commonly used in mining. The towers are located at the mouth shaft.

Mining Headgear Hoist Tower

A headgear is a wood or steel frame carrying hoisting ropes commonly used in mining. The towers are…

The present parish church of St. Peter's at Wearmouth, on the north bank of the River Wear, occupies the ancient priory church building and is one of the oldest churches in Great Britain. The tower dates from Norman times, and doubtless formed part of the building as restored after the Conquest.

Jarrow Church Tower

The present parish church of St. Peter's at Wearmouth, on the north bank of the River Wear, occupies…

This image depicts the towers of a castle, La Torre del Clavero, in Salamaca, Spain.

La Torre del Clavero

This image depicts the towers of a castle, La Torre del Clavero, in Salamaca, Spain.

"The buildings which have been constructed in these various styles differ essentially from those which have been carried out in the same styles in other countries. In churches and other buildings erected in the Gothic style this difference mainly consists in deficiency of strongly marked architectural keeping, for both main and subordinate features are generally irregular. In most cases the whole group is highly unsymmetrical, and the tower is at one corner, by which a picturesque effect is aimed at [shown here]. The material and the mode of construction are generally left visible, and it is endeavoured to utilize them as ornament; and this not only externally but also in the interior, where the beams and rafters of the roof are often left quite bare; they are even thus exposed where their appearance is not in keeping with the destination of the buildings."

Memorial Church in Scotland

"The buildings which have been constructed in these various styles differ essentially from those which…

A movable tower was used o attack a city in the medieval ages. It "was rolled up to the wall of the besieged town after the moat had been filled up at the proper point." -Breasted, 1914

Movable Tower

A movable tower was used o attack a city in the medieval ages. It "was rolled up to the wall of the…

"Old tower at Newport."—Lossing, 1851

Newport Tower

"Old tower at Newport."—Lossing, 1851

Eiffel Tower in Paris, 1901

Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower in Paris, 1901

"The most remarkable buildings in Pisa are the Campo Santo and the belfry, or campanile, a cylindrical tower, 178 feet in height, constructed of successive rows of pillars, chiefly of marble; it is extremely graceful in its proportions, but its chief peculiarity consists in its inclination about 13 feet out of the perpendicular, whence it is commonly called the Leaning Tower of Pisa. "—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Leaning Tower of Pisa

"The most remarkable buildings in Pisa are the Campo Santo and the belfry, or campanile, a cylindrical…

"A Round Tower, located in Devenish, Ireland." — Chambers, 1881

Round Tower

"A Round Tower, located in Devenish, Ireland." — Chambers, 1881

Santa Maria in Cosmedin is a minor basilica church in Rome, Italy.

Santa Maria in Cosmedin

Santa Maria in Cosmedin is a minor basilica church in Rome, Italy.

"Tower of the Early Christian Basilica of S. Maria in Cosmedin at Rome." Santa Maria in Cosmedin (or de Schola Graeca) is a basilica church in Rome. The church was built in the 6th century over the remains of the Templum Herculis Pompeiani in the Forum Boarium and of the Statio annonae, one of the food distribution centres of ancient Rome.

Tower of Santa Maria in Cosmedin

"Tower of the Early Christian Basilica of S. Maria in Cosmedin at Rome." Santa Maria in Cosmedin (or…

Tower of Sompting church, Essex. Saxon Architecture is the earliest stage of native English architecture, its period being from the conversion of England to Christianity till the conquest or near it, when Norman architecture began to prevail.

Church Saxon Architecture

Tower of Sompting church, Essex. Saxon Architecture is the earliest stage of native English architecture,…

A spire is a steeple that diminishes as it ascends.

Spire

A spire is a steeple that diminishes as it ascends.

"1, Turret, St. Peter's Church, Oxford; 2, Turret, Rochester Cathedral; 3, St. Mary's Church, Cheltenham; 4, Bayeux Church, Normandy." — Chambers, 1881

Spire

"1, Turret, St. Peter's Church, Oxford; 2, Turret, Rochester Cathedral; 3, St. Mary's Church, Cheltenham;…

A spire is a steeple that diminishes as it ascends.

Spire

A spire is a steeple that diminishes as it ascends.

Illustration of a spire of the Senlis Cathedral in France, early 13th century. It is "one of the earliest of fully developed spires, and is admired for the purity and elegance of its design." —Whitney, 1889

Spire from the Senlis Cathedral

Illustration of a spire of the Senlis Cathedral in France, early 13th century. It is "one of the earliest…

The Cathedral of Spires was built between 916 and 1097. It is the largest church in Germany. Designed in a Romanesque style, it has two towers in the front with spires on top, similar to a pointed spear.

The Cathedral at Spires

The Cathedral of Spires was built between 916 and 1097. It is the largest church in Germany. Designed…

The tower of St. Front, Perigueux.

St. Front Tower

The tower of St. Front, Perigueux.

In addition to being a parish church in the Diocese of Ely, it is the University Church for the University of Cambridge. As such it has a minor role in the University's legislation: for example, University Officers must live within 20 miles of Great St. Mary's, and undergraduates within three. The church also hosts University Sermons, and houses the University Organ and the University Clock. The latter chimes the Cambridge Chimes which were later used by the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament ("Big Ben").

St. Mary's Church, Cambridge

In addition to being a parish church in the Diocese of Ely, it is the University Church for the University…

The Sumaree Temple in Benares, India is an example of Sanskrit architecture.

Sumaree Temple

The Sumaree Temple in Benares, India is an example of Sanskrit architecture.

An illustration of a tower.

Tower

An illustration of a tower.

Scenery with a tower and moonlight shading.

Tower

Scenery with a tower and moonlight shading.

A military tower.

Tower

A military tower.

Indian art made its entrance into China with the worship of Buddha. But still diversities, corresponding to the different nationalities, were gradually introduced. Instead of the Indian dagoba there appears a tower-like construction of many stories, growing smaller towards the top and with the stages distinctly marked, and covered with multicolored curved roofs to which bells were attached.

Porcelain Tower at Nankin

Indian art made its entrance into China with the worship of Buddha. But still diversities, corresponding…

"Saxon Architecture was the style of architecture in use in England from the time of its conversion till the Conquest. It is easily recognized by its massive columns and semicircular arches, which usually spring from capitals without the intervention of the entablature."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Tower in Northamptonshire, England

"Saxon Architecture was the style of architecture in use in England from the time of its conversion…

Located in Heilbronn, a city in the north of Baden-Wirttemburg, Germany, is the tower of an old fortress , formerly the donjon-keep. The tower received its name from the fact that a celebrated warrior, Goetz von Berlichingen, was confined there for a short time. Goetz von Berlichingen was elected leader of the peasants who revolted in 1526. During one of his battles his left hand was cut off by a grape-shot. He had a skilful armorer to make him a hand of steel which enabled him to continue his warrior life. His iron hand is still preserved in the little town of Jaxthausen, near Berlichingen.

Tower of Goetz

Located in Heilbronn, a city in the north of Baden-Wirttemburg, Germany, is the tower of an old fortress…

The leaning tower of Pisa, located in Italy.

Tower of Pisa

The leaning tower of Pisa, located in Italy.

"A tower, generally built about 25 feet high, on which the Parsees expose the bodies of their dead to be stripped of flesh by vultures. These towers are usually so arranged that the denuded bones fall through a grating into a pit, whence they are removed for burial." &mdash;Whitney, 1889 <p>These towers were built by the Zoroastrians, of which the Parsees are one group. This image shows a tower with some bones and carrion surrounding it and hills in the background.

Tower of Silence Built by the Parsees

"A tower, generally built about 25 feet high, on which the Parsees expose the bodies of their dead to…

The Tower of the Winds, also called horologion (timepiece), is an octagonal Pentelic marble clocktower on the Roman agora in Athens. The structure features a combination of sundials, a water clock and a wind vane. It was supposedly built by Andronicus of Cyrrhus around 50 BC, but according to other sources might have been constructed in the 2nd century BC before the rest of the forum.

Tower of the Winds

The Tower of the Winds, also called horologion (timepiece), is an octagonal Pentelic marble clocktower…

"Tower of a German Feudal Castle." -Foster, 1921

Feudal Castle Tower

"Tower of a German Feudal Castle." -Foster, 1921

Illustration of a leaning tower with a perpendicular drawn from the top of the tower to the ground to form a right triangle.

Leaning Tower

Illustration of a leaning tower with a perpendicular drawn from the top of the tower to the ground to…

"They who are within this machine obtain first a view of the place from their high position, and then, by means of small bridges (<em>pontes</em>), descend upon the city walls." — Anthon, 1891

Mobile tower

"They who are within this machine obtain first a view of the place from their high position, and then,…

A large tower looms over what is presumably a town hall with a public square in front.

Town Hall with Large Tower

A large tower looms over what is presumably a town hall with a public square in front.

Trinity School is a private, preparatory, co-educational day school for grades K-12 located in New York City, USA, and a member of both the New York Interschool and the Ivy Preparatory School League. Founded in 1709 in the Tower of the old Trinity Church at Broadway and Wall Street, the school is the fifth oldest in the United States and the oldest continually operational school in New York City.

Trinity School

Trinity School is a private, preparatory, co-educational day school for grades K-12 located in New York…