Leaning Tower of Pisa (Italy) - description, history, location. Exact address, phone number, website. Reviews of tourists, photos and map.
 |
| Leaning Tower of Pisa |
At the dawn of the 12th century in the Italian city of Pisa, on its very outskirts, the construction of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Ascension began, and it would have been one of hundreds of other, undoubtedly beautiful, but little-known Italian cathedrals, if not for its world-famous bell tower or, as its more commonly referred to as the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
 |
| Leaning Tower of Pisa |
Interesting Facts
Here in it everything is unusual and outstanding, because it is not without reason that it is located on the Square of Miracles. Firstly, it is perhaps the only bell tower in the world that stands at some distance from the cathedral itself, although this is more likely due to the development project of the square. Secondly, in its external design, some experts trace Muslim motifs, finding some, albeit remote, similarity between the chapel and the minaret. But, nevertheless, it is not just one of the components of the ensemble of the Christian cathedral, but also its main decoration.
 |
| Leaning Tower of Pisa |
Construction
Already at the very beginning of construction, which falls on 1173, it was found that the clay soil under the chapel was prone to subsidence, so exactly a year passed from the moment the foundation was laid to the start of the main construction. The bell tower was erected two hundred years later, but since that moment, restoration work has been ongoing. Ultimately, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a seven-story building, consisting of the base and the belfry itself.
 |
| Leaning Tower of Pisa |
Interiors
Inside the tower there are many covered galleries connected by arches, which in turn are decorated with various ornaments. A huge hall with an open ceiling, its walls are lined with bas-reliefs depicting the inhabitants of the deep sea, three twisted staircases, and of course a belfry, its largest bell weighs more than three and a half tons, and the oldest is over four hundred years old.
 |
| Leaning Tower of Pisa |
Tower Fall
Today it has been established that the difference between the levels of the foundation parts is over two meters. But due to the fact that the center of gravity of the bell tower is located above the foundation, it continues to stand, although its deviation from the axis is already more than five degrees. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is constantly in motion, then its roll increases, then it, on the contrary, returns to its previous positions. All this is due, of course, to the displacement of the soil, as well as the activity of groundwater and human intervention. So in the century before last, it was decided to remove part of the soil, this led to devastating consequences, a number of nearby structures were washed away by groundwater.
In the middle of the 20th century, a special commission was organized, which included competent specialists, and which was designed to save the Leaning Tower of Pisa from destruction. Now various works are regularly carried out here to strengthen the building itself and the foundation, thanks to which the tower can stand for at least another three hundred years.