The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a world landmark, notable for the fact that it leans at a noticeable angle. Millions have visited this landmark and enjoyed the open green spaces that surround it with a picnic lunch or a unique photo opportunity. The Leaning Tower of Pisa, however, has more interesting facts about it besides the fact you can look like you’re holding it up in a photograph.
1. Two Centuries in the Making
It took almost 200 years for the Leaning Tower of Pisa to be completely built. Construction was finally completed on the project late in the 13th century. Part of the reason for the length of time was the fact that there were a couple wars being fought in the area at the time. Work on the tower had to be stopped twice, with the first stoppage lasting more than a century. If you had in the construction of the bell chamber, it actually took until 1372 for the work to be completed.
2. It’s a Leaner
Strangely enough, everyone knew that this tower was going to lean from some of the earliest stages of its construction. The builders only sank the foundation to a depth of 3 meters and the soil in that area is a pliable clay. By the time they started building the second floor in the 12th century, it was already starting to lean. It was a common problem during this era in Northern Italy, however, as there are several towers that lean in the region, including additional towers in Pisa.
3. Built to Scale
Many people love to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa for the view or to say that they actually checked the item off of their bucket list. What many don’t know about the tower is that it was designed to be like a musical scale. There are seven bells inside the tower and each one represents a position on the musical scale. Imagine if Julie Andrews filmed a scene for the Sound of Music inside the tower – talk about a musical number.
4. It’s Not Even Top 3
When considering all of the leaning towers that are in Europe, the Leaning Tower of Pisa has the fourth worst degree of lean. The worst leaner of all is the Suurhusen Church Tower in Germany, built in the 15th century. It is 5.19 degrees in its lean. The Bad Frankenhausen Church Tower comes in second at 4.8 degrees, while one of the two towers of Bologna, built in the 12th century, stands with a 4 degree lean. The Leaning Tower of Pisa has been measured at 3.97 degrees.
To be fair, however, before restoration efforts on the tower began at the turn of the 21st century, the tower actually leaned at a 5.5 degree angle.
5. Isn’t It More of a Curve?
There have been a number of architects that have worked on this building over the years, including when it was being constructed, to help compensate for the excessive leaning. Perhaps this is why the building looks more like a curved shape than an actual tower that leans. Many attempts have been made to make sure the tower won’t fall over or crumble and that work continues on even today.
6. Old and Tired
In 2008, engineers and architects announced that for the first time in history, the Leaning Tower of Pisa has stopped moving. For the last 800 years, it has been slowly inching toward the ground. Assuming that an earthquake doesn’t hit the region or something catastrophic happens, it is believed that the tower can be preserved as is until the year 2200. At that point, engineers are counting on future technologies to help continue preservation efforts.
7. Which Way Did It Lean?
The Leaning Tower of Pisa actually used to lean in the other direction. The shift took place in the 13th century as the upper floors of the tower were being constructed. The shift in the leaning wasn’t all bad, however, because rumor has it that Galileo dropped items from the top of the tower one day to test how mass and speed were related. He couldn’t have made his observations if the tower had been built without the lean.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is so fascinating because so many efforts were made throughout the centuries to preserve its leaning structure. Other towers may be leaning at some level, but none of them have the personality of this one. That’s why it will always be a top world landmark.
