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Leaning Tower of Pisa History | Evolution & turning points

The Torre Pendente or the Leaning Tower of Pisa, one of Italy's most famous attractions, certainly lives up to its name, leaning a remarkable 3.9 degrees off the vertical. The 58-meter-high bell tower of the Pisa Cathedral took nearly 200 years to complete, but its lean was already prominent by the time three stories were built. The tilt, which was caused by a layer of weak subsoil, slowly worsened over time until it was finally stabilized in the 1990s by restoration efforts.

Here's what you need to know about its history; an evolution that's nothing short of fascinating.

Why was the Leaning Tower of Pisa built?

leaning tower of pisa

Detailed history of the Leaning Tower of Pisa

contribution

Donna Berti di Bernardo makes a contribution

1172

Donna Berta di Bernardo, a widow and resident of the house of dell'Opera di Santa Maria, bequeathed sixty soldi (Italian silver coins) to the Opera Campanilis petrarum Sancte Marie (the organization that oversaw the tower's construction), which was used for building the tower.

leaning tower of pisa

Construction of the Tower begins

1173

The bell tower’s construction began in 1173 as the third part of the city's cathedral complex. Although it is not known who the original architect of the tower was, the project was started under the direction of architect Bonanno Pisano or Gherado di Gherado. 

leaning tower of pisa tilt

The tilt starts and construction halts

Late 1170s

Because of the soft ground beneath the building's foundations, the tower started to tilt soon after the beginning of the construction. By the time they built three of its eight floors, the tilt had worsened so much that they had to pull the brakes on building it to find a solution. Meanwhile, a war broke out between Pisa and the nearby city-state, Genova, and construction was halted for about 100 years. 

leaning tower of pisa

Construction resumes

1260

When construction resumed after a gap of a century, the soil underneath the structure was in better condition. In 1260, Giovanni di Simone took charge of the second phase of the building. He began to find ways to correct the tilt. The construction was finally completed in 1399 by another architect from the Pisano family, Tommaso.

leaning tower of pisa

A dangerous makeover is attempted

1838

Alessandro della Gerardesca tried to increase the value of the tower by exposing its beautifully carved base. While this allowed us to learn more about the architecture of the tower, this only worsened the tilt further. 

mussolini attempts correction of leaning tower

Mussolini intervenes

1934

The Italian dictator Mussolini argued that the Leaning Tower was an embarrassment and its inclination should be corrected. He got holes drilled around the tower to pour concrete into them, which unfortunately only worsened the tilt.

leaning tower of pisa history

World War II is at Pisa's doorstep

1943

The American forces were especially suspicious of the Leaning Tower since they believed it acted as a hideout for the Germans. However, when they entered Pisa to destroy all buildings, they were so impressed by the beauty of the structure that they spared it from destruction.

leaning tower of pisa construction

Italy requests aid

1964

The Italian government requested public suggestions preventing the lean as experts warned that the ancient structure was in grave danger of collapsing in the event of an earthquake or storm. Proposals to save the Leaning Tower arrived from all over the world.

stability

The tower finally achieves some stability

2001 onwards

After the last restabilization activity from 1990 to 2001, the Leaning Tower of Pisa started to correct its position over the next decade. In 2008, it was found that the tower had corrected its position by 19 inches, and experts believe that it can stay upright for another 300 years.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa today

leaning tower of pisa today



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Frequently asked questions about the history of the Leaning Tower of Pisa

How long did it take to build the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

The construction of the Leaning Tower of Pisa began in 1173 and went on till 1399, when it was completed. Unsteady soil, wars, etc. periodically halted progress of the monument's development.

How old is the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

The Leaning Tower is nearly 800 years old and still standing, a remarkable feat given its obvious tilt and loose foundation.

What are some turning points in the Leaning Tower of Pisa's history?

One key turning point was when the architects discovered the tilt just three stories into the tower's construction. Other events that changed the course of the Leaning Tower's history include various restoration efforts and the sparing of the Tower from WW2 bombing.

Are there any prominent historical figures associated with the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

It is said that the Pisan physicist Galileo Galilei dropped two cannon balls of equal size but different masses to dispute the theory that heavier objects accelerate faster when dropped from a height.

Is the Leaning Tower of Pisa still in use today?

Although it was built as bell tower for the Pisa Cathedral, the Leaning Tower's bells are now silenced (for fear that their vibration will cause the building to tilt further). It has now become a tourist attraction.

Is the Leaning Tower of Pisa currently stable?

Yes, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is currently stable and scientists believe that the current stabilization will hold for another 300 years.

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