The four-tiered bell tower adjoins the narthex of the Church of the Savior and was built after the "Swedish devastation" in the late 1620s. It is not just a bell tower, but a pillar-shaped temple "for bells," or "pillar." In 1818, it was significantly rebuilt: the top was dismantled, a round tier was added, which led to the destruction of several windows, clocks, and part of the decor. In the 18th century, the first floor was used as a storage for state wine.

In 1930, the bell tower lost its spire, and the following year the bells were removed. During the war, the Germans built a reinforced concrete pillbox on the upper tier. During restoration, it was found that among all Novgorod pillar-shaped temples, the Staraya Russa one has been preserved the best. It was decided to dismantle the 19th-century addition and restore the temple to its ancient appearance.