The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the great attractions that is located in Italy. We can say that this is the calling card of this unusual and amazing country. The famous tower is located in Pisa. She gained great fame because of her tilt in one direction. Very often she is also called "falling tower».
Not only adults know about the structure, but also children who meet with its concept and history back in school. Many tourists wish to visit this place. And when they come, they cannot come to their senses with delight. It’s not at all difficult to get to it, but it’s better to know the opening hours in advance.
On site, you can book a tour where tourists will be told in detail about the Leaning Tower of Pisa. From the very top there is the opportunity to admire the views of the city.
In this article, we will cover 10 interesting facts about the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
10. “Fall” started due to design error
Not many people know how the usual bell tower in the city became so famous around the world. All because of the slope, which creates an incredible impression that the tower is falling.
But really The tower began to “fall” due to a design error.
The architects who were involved in the construction were seriously miscalculated. They built the building in the area where the soil was characterized by excessive moisture. This is precisely what led to the big problem.
There are many “falling” buildings in the world. The interesting and unusual history of this tower makes it simply invaluable for architecture. She stands out from the rest.
9. Construction lasted about 200 years
The amazing thing is that Leaning Tower of Pisa over two hundred years. Construction often paused and then resumed again. And it began still during the dawn of the republic as a sea state.
It was originally planned that the tower would stand far from the city center. Construction was divided into several stages. There is evidence that the first part of the work was performed by Guglielmo Innsbruck.
Construction began in 1173. But it was supposed to be done only the next year. Then the researchers decided that the republic had its own calendar, which always was one year ahead of events.
This year the foundation was laid, which had a depth of about three meters. Then a whole year of work was not carried out. After the first floor was built and the slope became noticeable.
When it was discovered, they did not finish the tower. It was decided to urgently stop the work. But soon, in 1198, the soil was strengthened at the base and the building was opened.
Amazing fact: during the construction, the tower constantly tilted in different directions. People began to notice that the slope intensified to the north side, and then, after some time, to the south. Many claimed that she was about to fall.
The next construction began only thirty-five years later. And this happened in 1233. The project manager was an employee named Benenato. Almost half of the tower was already built at this time.
They began to observe a big shift in work after a man named Giovanni di Simone took up the matter. Around 1264, near Pisa, they decided to mine stone for the further construction of the building.
Then this man began to work entirely on the project. He thought that the slope could be compensated by raising the level of the ceiling. But, unfortunately, this only exacerbated the situation. Even greater curvature began.
The next time about her it became known only in 1319. The final work was led by Tomasso. In 1350, the construction of a unique bell tower in the world began.
And only in 1372 was everything built in its entirety. At that time, the deviations were only 1.43 meters. The building turned out to be completely different from what it was planned to be built. Outwardly, it was an eight-story building. Although initially it was said about ten floors.
8. The tower was repeatedly corrected
After construction, the Leaning Tower of Pisa was repaired more than once. By about the 20th century, the angle of inclination was 4 degrees, and then almost 10. They said that there is a risk of falling. The tower was urgently straightened. They tried to save her many times.
For example, in 1930 a special liquid cement was poured into the foundation, which made the support waterproof. And sixty years later, steel rings were fixed on the ground floor of the building, which protected them from further subsidence.
7. It has a bell tower
It is worth noting the fact that The Leaning Tower of Pisa is still more of a bell tower. There are 7 bells on it. Each tuned to a specific note. At runtime, they sound everything.
The first bell was created in the 13th century. The rest installed much later. At the time of the war, one of them, called Dal Pozo, was destroyed. But after the necessary restoration work, he was sent to the museum for storage. Currently, only a good copy of it can be seen on the belfry.
The largest bell, which weighs about 3.5 tons, was installed on the bell tower. He made it himself Giovanni Pietro. But, in 1735 it was re-melted, therefore it has not been preserved at present.
Every day, people who live in this amazing place can hear the sound of the bells at noon.
6. Missing roof
Not many people know that there is no roof at the leaning tower. Since the slope was quite dangerous, the architects decided that it was urgent to complete the belfry. Having built it, they sacrificed a roof. When a person goes inside, then raising his head up, he can see the sky.
5. There are tombs in the tower
The Leaning Cathedral of Pisa was built in honor of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is also considered one of the monuments of Romanesque architecture throughout Italy. This cathedral serves as the place of the tomb for many historical figures.. For example, Emperor Henry the Seventh is buried here.
4. Disputes over the names of architects are still ongoing
Scientists are still arguing about who was the architect of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.built in Italy. Most recently, they found a stone in a building on which they could find out the name of a real architect. It was a block of marble on one part of the sarcophagus. Scientists have discovered that they were Bonanni Pisano.
The inscription read: "I, who, without a doubt, erected this amazing building, which is above all, I am a citizen of Pisa named Bonanni". Disputes have been going on for almost 400 years.
3. There is a legend about Galileo's experiments on the tower
There is an interesting legend that on the tower in Pisa, the famous astronomer by the name of Galileo Galilei conducted his amazing experiments. For a long time he tried to prove that the body, having completely different masses, falls down at almost the same speed.
To find out for sure, he dropped various objects from the huge height of the tower and checked the time of the fall. But, unfortunately, this fact remains unconfirmed to this day.
2. There are as many as 3 falling towers in Pisa
Not many people know that Pisa is also known for other falling baths.. The bell tower, built in honor of San Nicola, is considered the 2nd most popular after the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It belongs to one of the ancient temples of the city.
One of the towers of the church of San Michele della Scalzi does not differ in beauty. But, nevertheless, it is known for the fact that it is tilted much more than the main attraction of Pisa.
Guelf's tower was previously considered a powerful military structure. But at present it is a platform for viewing the views of scenic spots.
1. In Russia there are also falling towers: Nevyansk and Syuyumbike
It is known that in Russia there are also falling towers. One is located in the city of Nevyansk, and the other in Kazan and is called the “Syuyumbika tower”.
Buildings are classified as falling, as they have a slight slope. Tourists also come to these places to see the beauty and grandeur of the buildings.