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Inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa | Bells, Spiral Steps & More
Leaning Tower of PisaInside
An architectural marvel from medieval Europe, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the top attractions to visit in Italy. From the moment you enter this monument, you will feel the tilt that is visible from the outside. Once you climb the 251 steps inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa, you get to witness the stunning panoramic view of the city.
Leaning Tower of Pisa From the Inside
The Leaning Tower of Pisa was initially designed to function as a bell tower in the Cathedral Square. It features brilliant marble columns on each story on the outside and two sets of spiral staircases on the inside. The entrance takes you into a waiting area where you will have to wait your turn to climb the tower. The tower is lit with light coming from the windows on the upper stories. Centuries of time has slightly eroded the steps inside the tower, but they will take you to the top of the tower where you can hear the ringing of the ancient bells along with enjoying gorgeous panoramic views of the city of Pisa.
About Leaning Tower of PisaInside the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Entrance
Once you pass the security check, you will reach the base of the monument. Here, you will come across the entrance door to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The door is 4 feet high and the entrance floor is inclined which is noticeable when you walk on it. There isn’t much inside the tower and it looks like a hollow cylinder. Due to minimal lighting, the interior walls of the tower look yellow in color.
Waiting Area
At a time, only 30 people are allowed inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Each batch of visitors is given 35 minutes to climb up and down the tower. The rest of the visitors have to stand in a queue at the entrance and wait for the last batch to return before making their ascent. Meanwhile, there are some hangings and guides available that you can read to learn more about the history of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Looking Up
Since there is no artificial light in the Tower of Pisa and barely any openings, the tower looks dark and empty when you look at the top floors from the bottom. There is minimal light entering the tower from the small openings at each landing and a glass ceiling at the base of the 8th floor. The tower looks like a hollow cylinder when you look from the bottom floor of the tower.
Narrow Spiral Stairs
There are a total of 251 steps to reach the bell chamber from the bottom of the Tower. Another 12 steps will take you inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Out of the five different flights of stairs, you will come across two full-sized spiral staircases, the 3rd and 4th set of stairs, to move between the floors. These are quite narrow and only one visitor can pass through them at a time.
Feeling the Tilt
As soon as you enter the Tower of Pisa, you will feel a little out of balance as the sloping surface on which the tower stands is quite noticeable here. Once you start climbing the stairs, the tilt will become visible and a few visitors might also feel dizzy due to this.
Windows and Openings
There is no artificial light inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa so it takes time to accustom your eyes to the darkness. The only light that enters this tower is through the small door-sized openings that you find at each staircase landing. These openings are shut with metal grates to prevent visitors from accessing the column area and getting hurt. There is also a massive glass opening at the base of the 8th floor through which some more light can enter.
Bells on Top
On the 8th floor, you will come across 7 bells in the bell chamber that was added to the Tower of Pisa in 1372. Each bell was used to play a note on the musical major scale and the largest bell was added to the chamber in 1655. These bells were silenced in the 20th century during restoration as it was believed that the bell vibration could worsen the tilt of the tower.
Glass Ceiling
Once you are at the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, you can see the bells around you. Along with this, there is a glass ceiling at the center of the 8th floor for you to look into the tower from the top. The glass cover also allows light to pass through into the tower, but because the tower is so massive, it still appears dimly lit.
View From the Top
After you go through the 251 steps to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and be greeted with a magnificent view of the entire town of Pisa. From the top, you can witness the red-roofed buildings of Pisa along with the mountains in the distance and the stunning Cathedral Square. You can click pictures and take videos of yourself here to retain the memories of this wonderful experience.
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Frequently Asked Questions About What’s Inside Leaning Tower of Pisa
Q. What is inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
A. As the Tower of Pisa was meant to be a bell tower for the Cathedral Square, it doesn’t have much inside the tower apart from the stairs that lead up to the bells at the top of the tower. The tower is dark with minimal light that comes through its windows on the upper stories.
Q. Can I enter inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
A. Once you show your Leaning Tower of Pisa ticket, you will be allowed to enter into the tower and climb to the top.
Q. How many steps are inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
A. There are a total of 251 steps inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa that take you to the top.
Q. What kind of footwear should I wear for climbing the steps inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
A. Make sure to wear flat and comfortable footwear to climb the steps inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa as they have eroded slightly over the centuries.
Q. How do I enter the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
A. There is a giant door that is slightly tilted to one side because of the tower’s tilt. You will be able to enter the Leaning Tower of Pisa from here.
Q. Can I climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
A. Yes, you can take the steps inside the tower to climb to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Q. Who is allowed to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
A. It is recommended that people who have lung or heart problems not attempt to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Apart from that, there are no other restrictions on who can climb the tower.
Q. What should I remember before I climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
A. It is important to remember that because of the tilt, you may feel dizzy or breathless while climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Carry some water and take short breaks at the windows of the tower to maintain your energy.
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