The Tower of Pisa:

The construction of the square started on 1064 with th Cathedral. Known by the sublime name of PIAZZA dei MIRACOLI, the square's current layout is the one it assumed in the later 1800s, when buildings of lesser importance where removed to liberate the space around the main monuments: the Cathedral, the Baptistery, built on 1152, the Monumental Cemetery, built on 1277, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

It's known all around the world for its superb architecture and fearful angle, which seems to defy the laws of gravity. Its construction began in 1173 by Bonanno Pisano and finished only in 1278, after one long period of suspension (about 90 years). It measures about 180 ft (55 mt), is 8 floor high, 30 externally marble columns each floor, 50.9ft (20mt ca) base diameter, 14732 tons weight, 294 steps for the top, 32.240 marble blocks used for its construction.

The Tower is crowned with a belfry, built between 1360 and 1370 (when works stopped in the place) rounded by 12 columns and containing 7 bells, datable to the XVIIth cent; they are tuned on the 7 musical notes. It was here, according to the tradition, that Galileo Galilei carried out his experiments to establish gravitation forces. The Tower inclination's began when the ground beneath the foundation subsided.

For all these reasons it is said to be one of the Seven Wonders in the World.

 The Tower created an angle of 5 degrees & 31' with his vertical, southward; it means that the first cornice and the 7th are around 4.5 metres out of line with each other. This angle increases toward the top, and has been increasing on average one mm circa per year. Since the tower's closure in 1990, for reason of safety, consolidation work has reduced the inclination year by year: in the past the slant was increasing by a millimeter per year !!

But now the Tower is open again as in the past: the inclination is now reduced by 2 meters circa and since last 15th December the tourism can reach its top. Now everyone can visit the Tower again... this lovely landscape now costs 15€.

 

Visit the official link to the Tower of Pisa down here.

 

[ The Tower ] [ CivicNet ] [ University ]