Leaning Tower of Pisa is doomed to be famous by laying the foundations for it. Some consider it is a miracle of architectural thought, others – human mistake. But all acknowledge that the Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most curious tourist attractions in Italy.
Intended to be bell tower of the city’s cathedral “Santa Maria Assunta”, the Leaning Tower of Pisa rises in all its glory of white marble in the middle of “Square of Miracles” (Piazza del Duomo) and somehow spoil the coherence of the other buildings with its unnatural profile. However, its nearly 800 years of existence, the Leaning Tower of Pisa not only has become one of the top 35 destinations in Europe, but it attracts many architects and scholars who are trying to understand the reasons for its continued tolerance from the axis and prevent its sudden collapse. From its top the great physicist Galileo Galilei demonstrates his theory of gravity, and during World War II serves as an observation post of the Nazis.
In 1964 the Italian government decided to take action against the collapse of the Tower. Mathematicians, engineers and historians gather in the Azores, seeking and offering ways to strengthen it. In 1987 “Square of Miracles” is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Furthermore, except the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the cathedral, Archbishop and the graveyard are included. In 2007 the government invest millions of pounds to strengthen this architectural wonder. But the ideal vertical position seems unattainable.
General facts about the leaning tower of Pisa
The foundations of the Leaning Tower of Pisa were made in 1173, but for its final completion are needed 200 years. The seventh floor was completed in 1319, but the tower with the seven bells is finished in 1372. Today there is still a dispute who is the architect of the tower of Pisa – for years it is considered to be the famous Italian architect Bonanno Pisano. Later, however, there is evidence that show the true architect to be Diotisalvi who designed also to Archbishop of the “Square of Miracles” in Pisa.
The Tower of Pisa reach 55.86 meters in its lowest point and 56.70 meters in the highest. At the top, the weighing 14,500 tons architectural wonder, narrows and the leaning angle becomes more noticeable, reaching 4 meters off-axis. It is build in the typical medieval Romanesque architecture with Gothic ornaments. The columns on the periphery of the seven floors are decorated in Corinthian capitals. 296 feet lead to the bell tower – there are two additinal at the north side on the top floor. It was held for repairs to straighten the slope in the period 1990 – 2001, but the effect is negligible.
Construction of the Leaning Tower of Pisa
The construction of the Leaning Tower of Pisa took place in several stages. Upon completion of the third floor, the foundation began to sink into the sandy soil and the building is tilted on its side. Builders propped it with stones, thinking that it will stop the sinking process, but the tower of Pisa is still off-axis in the other direction. Work was stopped because nearly a century the local population is actively involved in hostilities with the Italian republics. During this time, there were countless calculations and architectural plans and the soil was allowed to settle. In 1198 the clocks for its top were temporary mounted at the third floor of the tower.
In 1272 the construction of three new floors began, strategically calculated to balance tilt in the opposite direction. Therefore, in profile, the tower of Pisa has “curled” shape. There is however counterproductivity – the building is tilted in the other direction, which is quite frightening. Because of another military battle in 1284 re-construction stops and the last seventh floor was added in 1319. The bell tower is finished about half a century later.
Over the years, the Leaning Tower of Pisa has become a symbol of Italy. The apparent difference between marble and limestone superstructure (made for strengthening) give it an archaic form, but if you can overcome claustrophobia and climb to the top, you will enjoy fabulous views and unforgettable emotions. And maybe you will continue to ask: “Why tower of Pisa is tilted?”.
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