The Leaning Tower of Pisa is undoubtedly one of the main attractions of Pisa, a real symbol of the city. It is part of the architectural ensemble of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, located on the famous Field of Miracles - Campo dei Miracoli in Pisa. In 1986, the entire ensemble, including the tower, the cathedral, the Baptistery and the cemetery of Campo Santo, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.
Architecture of the Leaning Tower of Pisa
The tower was completed in 1360: the structure is between 55.86 and 56.7 metres high, with a base diameter of 15.54 metres. There are 294 steps leading to the top of the Falling Tower, which is inclined at an angle of almost 4º. Interestingly, the author of the tower's design is still unknown. What is certain is that the construction was carried out in two stages: it began in 1173 and lasted almost two centuries, finishing, as mentioned above, in 1360. The ground floor of the tower is made of white muffin and is surrounded by columns with classical capitals, which rest on blind arches. It was once believed that the tower's famous tilt was intended in the design, but today experts are of the opinion that it was an architectural error: the combination of small foundations and soft soil caused the tower to lean dangerously after the third floor was erected.
The tower's tilt
It was this tilt, as well as the original design of the tower, that made it the subject of everyone's attention from the very beginning. From the school course of physics, everyone knows about the experiments of the great Galileo Galilei, who threw objects with different masses from the top of the Tower of Pisa. However, some historians consider this fact to be a legend, based on the fact that Galileo Galilei himself did not mention any public experiments. Today, however, millions of tourists come to see the architectural marvel.
In order to save one of the main attractions of Italy from collapse, various actions are constantly being taken. For example, the collapsing columns of the ground floor have already been replaced several times. Work is regularly carried out to strengthen the foundations. From 2002 to 2010, the tower was under restoration, which reduced the angle of inclination from 5º30´ to 3º54´.
On a side note
- Location: Piazza del Duomo, Pisa.
- Opening hours: daily in summer 08.30-20.30, in winter 09.00-17.00.
- Tickets: the ticket price is 18 euros.
