A climbing device for carrying out a movement relative to a tower (102, 202), in particular a wind power installation tower, comprising ∘ a main body having a longitudinal extent from a first end to a second end, wherein the second end in an operating state faces a foundation of a tower; ∘ at least one first climbing element having an extent between a first inner end and a first holding end; ∘ o at least one second climbing element having an extent between a second inner end and a second holding end; wherein - the first climbing element is disposed and configured for ∘ carrying out a first holding movement of the first holding end relative to the main body, by way of a first holding movement direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal extent; and ∘ carrying out a first climbing movement, in particular for moving the climbing device relative to a tower, of the first holding end relative to the main body, by way of a climbing movement direction that is parallel with the longitudinal extent; and - the second climbing element is disposed and configured for ∘ carrying out a second holding movement of the second holding end relative to the main body, by way of a second holding movement direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal extent; and/or ∘ carrying out a second climbing movement, in particular for moving the climbing device relative to a tower, of the second holding end relative to the main body, by way of a climbing movement direction that is parallel with the longitudinal extent, characterized by a safety mechanism, wherein the first holding movement of the first climbing element is possible only when a region adjacent to the second holding end of the second climbing element is connected to a preferably inner wall of a tower (102, 202). ∘ a main body having a longitudinal extent from a first end to a second end, wherein the second end in an operating state faces a foundation of a tower; ∘ at least one first climbing element having an extent between a first inner end and a first holding end; ∘ o at least one second climbing element having an extent between a second inner end and a second holding end; wherein - the first climbing element is disposed and configured for ∘ carrying out a first holding movement of the first holding end relative to the main body, by way of a first holding movement direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal extent; and ∘ carrying out a first climbing movement, in particular for moving the climbing device relative to a tower, of the first holding end relative to the main body, by way of a climbing movement direction that is parallel with the longitudinal extent; and ∘ carrying out a first holding movement of the first holding end relative to the main body, by way of a first holding movement direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal extent; and ∘ carrying out a first climbing movement, in particular for moving the climbing device relative to a tower, of the first holding end relative to the main body, by way of a climbing movement direction that is parallel with the longitudinal extent; and - the second climbing element is disposed and configured for ∘ carrying out a second holding movement of the second holding end relative to the main body, by way of a second holding movement direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal extent; and/or ∘ carrying out a second climbing movement, in particular for moving the climbing device relative to a tower, of the second holding end relative to the main body, by way of a climbing movement direction that is parallel with the longitudinal extent, characterized by a safety mechanism, wherein the first holding movement of the first climbing element is possible only when a region adjacent to the second holding end of the second climbing element is connected to a preferably inner wall of a tower (102, 202). ∘ carrying out a second holding movement of the second holding end relative to the main body, by way of a second holding movement direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal extent; and/or ∘ carrying out a second climbing movement, in particular for moving the climbing device relative to a tower, of the second holding end relative to the main body, by way of a climbing movement direction that is parallel with the longitudinal extent,