The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most iconic structures in Italy, loved by tourists from all around the globe. However, most of them know very little about the building’s history, construction, and secrets. In this article, we’ll discover everything you need to know about the Leaning Tower of Pisa, its unique architecture, and the scientific efforts that have been made throughout the years to keep it standing.
History and Construction
The Leaning Tower of Pisa, also known as Torre pendente di Pisa, is located in Piazza dei Miracoli, a famous square in Pisa, Italy. The tower was built between 1173 and 1372, with the intention to serve as a bell tower for the nearby cathedral. However, after the construction of its first three floors, it began to lean towards the south. This was caused by the ground’s soft foundation, made of clay, silt, and sand, and the tower’s increasing weight.
Construction was halted for nearly a century after the lean was noticed, and builders tried several methods to correct the lean, such as adding stones to the higher side, digging around the foundation, and even carrying out a counterweight method that attempted to level the tower. However, none of these efforts had a significant impact, hence the final eight floors retain their remarkable angle of five degrees.
Unique Architecture
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is an extraordinary structure, not only due to its subtlety but also for its unique architecture. The tower’s height is 56 meters (about 186 feet) and has eight floors supported by columns and pillars. Each level has a set of windows with different shapes, topped with an ornate cornice. The tower’s entrance is at ground level and leads up to the bell chamber at the top, where seven bells are hung.
While the leaning state is the tower’s most well-known feature, other parts of the building have the same aesthetic value. The top of the tower is adorned by an elegant belfry which houses the bells that have been ringing for centuries. It is richly decorated with pilasters, circular arches, and small columns. Each of the seven bells has a specific name and weighs around 3000 kg.
Science to Keep it Standing
The Leaning Tower of Pisa has been monitored for decades as the movement of the tower was becoming hazardous, and scientists feared that the ground below it could shift enough to cause the tower to collapse. In the 1990s, two teams of engineers and scientists began working on a solution to straighten the tower.
This project involved removing tons of earth from beneath the higher side and adding lead weights on the lower side. This procedure was repeated until the tower was upright again, and it continued for nearly a decade, costing millions of dollars. However, after years of effort and experimentation, the tower was straightened by 45 centimeters (about 18 inches) in 2001. The tower is now safe to visit and can retain its lean for centuries to come.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is not only an emblem of Italy but also a metaphor for humankind’s constant efforts to overcome obstacles. Its lean has made it a world-renowned attraction for tourists from all corners of the earth. Its history and unique architecture narrate a tale of innovation and perseverance. Finally, the scientific efforts taken to keep the tower upright have shown that nothing is too impossible, and our ingenuity has no limits.
