ATTRACTIONS
Why is the tower of Pisa leaning?
It is one of the most famous monuments in Italy and the world, but its history is not known to everyone. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the bell tower of the cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in the famous Piazza del Duomo (UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987).
A characteristic mark of this tower is the fact that it slopes to one side in a very visible, unique and special way. The reasons for its slope date back to the time of its construction, and its safety and stability has been ensured through years of interventions, restoration and maintenance.
Precisely because of this peculiarity, it is a destination visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.
Why is the tower of Pisa leaning?
It is one of the most famous monuments in Italy and the world, but its history is not known to everyone. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the bell tower of the cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in the famous Piazza del Duomo (UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987).
Di FrDr - Opera propria, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=110013216
A centuries-long work
A characteristic mark of this tower is the fact that it slopes to one side in a very visible, unique and special way. The reasons for its slope date back to the time of its construction, and its safety and stability has been ensured through years of interventions, restoration and maintenance.
Di Arne Müseler / www.arne-mueseler.com, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php
When was the Leaning Tower of Pisa built
Work began on 9 August 1173, and was not completed until the middle of the 14th century. The official inauguration took place in 1373. To this day it remains a destination visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.
The size of the Leaning Tower of Pisa
It is a free-standing bell tower 57 metres high (58.36 metres considering the foundation level). With a mass of 14,453 tonnes, it is dominated by a curved line, with round blind arcades and six storeys of loggias.
Why is the tower of Pisa leaning
The slope of the tower is due to a series of differential failures, i.e. a series of non-uniform failures affecting the fundamental structures that become evident after the completion of the structure itself. The causes of these subsidence are to be found in the structure of the soil, which consists of soft, normal-consolidated clay. Furthermore, in ancient times, a bend of the Auser river ran through the area of the tower. The slope is in fact a characteristic feature of almost all the buildings in the square, although to a considerably lesser degree.
A real danger to the tower
Over the centuries, the slope increased significantly, partly due to the suction of the water table below. In 1993, fears began to be raised for the strength of the tower, which at the time had reached a slope of as much as 4.47 metres, or approximately 4.5 degrees. Since March 2008, the tower has reached its final level of consolidation in terms of inclination, which is now 3.97 degrees again.
Attractions
14/04/2024
During a visit to Barcelona, among the many sights available, one cannot fail to pay a visit to Casa Battlò, perhaps the most unique residence in the world. In fact, its architecture is absolutely unique, and it is one of the most famous sights in Spain.
Entirely renovated at the beginning of the 20th century by the great architect Antoni Gaudi, it is located at number 43 Passeig de Gràcia and is considered one of the architect's most original creations. Since 2005, the house has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Since the 1990s, the building has been in the hands of its current owners, the Bernat family, who have completely reformed it.
Attractions
12/04/2024
The Colosseum in Rome, the ancient arena where jousts, gladiator fights and theatrical performances took place, is the most famous monument in Italy, the one that immediately comes to mind when talking about the Belpaese.
Its history and the legends surrounding this marvellous building, much changed over the centuries, are steeped in the soul of Italy, with its contradictions, its problems but also its beauty.
Despite being one of the world's most famous and well-known sights, without a doubt some things you will not know, and you will be surprised by the curiosities surrounding its stones.