The Crucifixion bell tower, built in 1571, impresses with its majestic appearance. It is associated with many legends. One of them states that Tsar Ivan Vasilyevich ordered the construction of the church-bell tower after the brutal massacre of the residents of Novgorod, as a memorial to those events. The height of the large pillar exceeded 50 meters. When Ivan Vasilyevich moved to Alexandrovskaya Sloboda, the tower ceased to be a watchtower, as new buildings and trees obstructed the view of the settlement.

In the mid-1560s, it was decided to convert the old structure into a church. The small pillar was destroyed, and the former watchtower was slightly enlarged, leaving its base. Thus, a tall octagon, twelve meters high to the first gallery, was created. Above it are three rows of 'kokoshniks' forming a cone, with each row becoming narrower. The second gallery is located in the first row of kokoshniks, each of which has a small window in the center. Above the row of small kokoshniks, in the third row, there is a small platform. The bell tower is crowned with a tall tent. Historians assert that the foundation of the Crucifixion bell tower consisted of two stone pillars, one of which was significantly taller than the other. Likely, by the order of Vasily III, the tall pillar was built as a watchtower, while the shorter one served as a bell tower. A small belfry was added to the south side of the bell tower, where, possibly, a huge bell from Novgorod hung. In the late 17th century, a small stone structure with four rooms was added to the belfry, one of which connects to the bell tower. According to documents, until 1707, Tsarevna Marfa Alexeyevna lived here, and since then the extension has been called 'Marfa's Chambers.' In 1969, the Crucifixion church-bell tower was completely restored: the wooden staircase was replaced, the whitewashing was updated, and the old plaster was removed. The bell tower is associated with a legend that it became the birthplace of domestic aeronautics. A serf named Nikita created wings from wood and feathers, binding them with wax. He planned to launch from the highest structure in Alexandrovskaya Sloboda, the Crucifixion bell tower. Almost all the residents of the sloboda, including Tsar Ivan the Terrible, gathered to watch this. The tsar ordered Nikita to be killed if he could not fly. Nikita climbed to the top of the bell tower, put on the wings, pushed off, and flew. According to chronicles, he overcame a high wall, flew several dozen meters, and miraculously survived, landing on the bank of the Sera River. The people congratulated Nikita, and he himself could not believe in his success. However, Ivan Vasilyevich ordered his execution, explaining that a man cannot fly like a bird, and thus, he was aided by the devil. For his connection with the unclean force, Nikita was beheaded, and his body was given to the pigs. The wings were burned by the tsar's order after the service in the same Crucifixion church-bell tower.