Just like in travel and vacations, we sometimes ask ourselves simple questions because we wonder why certain things we see or experience are the way they are, how they can be explained, or what the reasons behind them might be. In short, why…
Today, we’re looking at an Italian monument that has become virtually iconic: the Leaning Tower of Pisa, to find out – of course – why it leans.
A Tower and a Cathedral
The Tower of Pisa was originally the campanile of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (Our Lady of the Assumption) in Pisa. A campanile is a tall tower housing the bells of a church or other Christian religious building, built right next to it. It’s essentially the ancestor of our modern bell towers, which reached their peak in the early Middle Ages, particularly in Italy, where there was actually considerable rivalry between cities on this subject.
In short, the Tower of Pisa is the bell tower of this magnificent cathedral built in the early 11th century on what is now the vast Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles) in Pisa. This doesn’t mean that both buildings date from exactly the same period, since construction of the Tower of Pisa didn’t begin until sixty years after the cathedral was consecrated, and then stretched over two centuries, from 1173 to 1372.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site along with the cathedral and the neighboring Baptistery of St. John, it’s now the symbol of the city of Pisa as much as it is one of Italy’s iconic landmarks.
So Why Does It Lean?
Even though the building, like its cathedral, is remarkable in its elaborate and refined style typical of Romanesque art, it’s obviously its tilted appearance that captures attention and made it famous.
That said, its characteristic inclination isn’t really new. The tower actually began to sink during the early stages of construction due to the soft and unstable ground on which it was built. Looking back with our current knowledge, we have to say that soil composed of sand, clay, and water isn’t exactly ideal for establishing such a structure. Especially since on this type of non-uniform terrain, the construction quickly began leaning toward the weakest side. Finally, if you add undersized foundations (barely 10 feet deep) for the weight involved, you have the causes of this “deformity” that the builders of the time obviously hadn’t anticipated. In a way, it was a blessing in disguise for a tower that’s now known worldwide.
As for whether the building will fall one day, what’s certain is that if nothing had been done, it would have happened long ago. The first work to remedy this inclination dates back to… 1272, well before the tower was completed. Architects of the time tried to compensate for the tilt by building the following floors with taller columns on the leaning side.
But it’s especially in recent decades that maintenance work to keep it in place (and not straighten it… obviously) has been carried out, with tons of concrete poured for stabilization, soil drainage, new reinforcements, etc. The building was even closed for a decade for work between 1990 and 2001.
But today we can say that the Tower of Pisa appears to be stabilized and should last several more centuries with this inclination that currently measures around 5° between the top and its base. So we can still take our time deciding whether to go visit it…
> Info: www.turismo.pisa.it
Hello! I’m Ben Fischer, a travel enthusiast who has journeyed far and wide to bring you unique and inspiring stories. Each destination is a new adventure for me, a chance to explore diverse cultures and share unforgettable experiences.
In my articles, I take you beyond mere descriptions of places. I share the encounters, special moments, and anecdotes that make each trip unique. My writing is an invitation to see the world through my eyes, blending practical tips with personal insights.
As a lifelong traveler, I approach each journey with respect and curiosity, eager to uncover the stories hidden in every corner of the globe.
