New Delhi: The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a famous historical place in Italy known for its unique tilt. One look at the structure will give the impression of falling at any moment. The Pisa Cathedral’s freestanding bell tower is renowned worldwide for its almost four-degree lean which can make anyone wonder why it is like this. In this article, we will take a look at the reason behind the strange lean of the tower which has become one of the most famous tourist spots over the years.
Why is the Leaning Tower of Pisa titled?
The Leaning Tower of Pisa was constructed for more than 199 years in three stages. Its foundation was laid on August 9, 1173, and five days later, work on its ground floor started.
In 1178, when the tower’s second floor was being constructed, it began to sink because of a mere three-metre foundation whose base was formed by weak, unstable subsoil. Its design was flawed right from the word go. There was a pause in construction for many years since then as the Republic of Pisa was engaged in frequent battles with Lucca, Florence and Genoa. The underlying soil settled in the meantime, which prevented the tower from toppling. On December 27, 1233, Benenato took charge of its construction.
On February 23, 1260, Guido Speziale replaced Benenato and took charge of the tower’s construction but it was again halted. In 1272, the construction began once again, led by Di Simone. To rectify the glaring tilt, the engineers built upper floors with one side being taller. It curved the tower, and in 1284, its construction came to a halt once again when the Genoese defeated the Pisans in the Battle of Meloria.
In 1319, the tower got its seventh floor and in 1372, it got the bell chamber. Tommaso di Andrea Pisano built the bell chamber by assimilating the Gothic elements with the tower’s Romanesque style. Over the years, especially in the modern age, there have been several efforts to straighten the tower or prevent it from falling over. But those efforts made the tilt worse.
Public access to the tower was closed on January 7, 1990, and following a decade of reconstruction efforts, the tower was prevented from collapsing and further titling. It was again opened to the public on December 15, 2001, and it was announced that the tower would be stable for another 300 years at least.
In 1178, when the tower’s second floor was being constructed, it began to sink because of a mere three-metre foundation whose base was formed by weak, unstable subsoil. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
