The leaning tower of Pisa is located in Pisa, Tuscana, Italy. Its sight is sure something to behold, a high building that bends yet, hasn’t fallen.
We will be uncovering some uncommon and fascinating facts about the Leaning Tower of Pisa that lots of people don’t know. Relax and get ready for surprises.
1. The tower has withstood about 4 strong earthquakes without falling since its construction.
2. The tower was originally built to serve as the bell tower of Pisa’s cathedral complex.
3. The tower is just a hollow cylinder from top to bottom.
4. The construction of this building started in the year 1173.
5. The tower was never designed to lean.
6. It took about 200 years to complete the construction of this tower.
7. The tower was closed for about 10 years due to its tilting. During this closure, it continued tilting slowly.
8. The main architect of the leaning tower was Bonanno Pisano.
9. The construction of this tower was halted at some points for different reasons, but it was finally finished in the year 1372.
10. The leaning of the tower was due to the carelessness of the architects. They hadn’t put the softness of the soil into consideration before starting the building.
11. The tower is about 186 feet at its highest point and 183 feet at its lowest point.
12. There are about 300 steps in the leaning tower of Pisa.
13. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the top of the tower.
14. An Italian architect; Benito Mussolini, tried to fix the tilting of the tower by drilling holes in the base of the tower to pump in mortar to make straightening the building, but his efforts only worsened the tilting of the building.
15. The foundation of the leaning tower was built shallow and relatively heavy which was the main cause of the sinking of the building.
16. The tower as promised by engineers will be stable for the next 200 years.
17. The base ticket into the Tower is 18€.
18. The Leaning Tower of Pisa has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
19. Only 45 people are allowed into the tower at a time.
20. The tower leans from the south. Despite all efforts of the builders, the building couldn’t be straightened. In fact, some efforts even worsened the tilt.
21. There is a strict 30-minute time slot for tourists entering the tower.
22. The tower gets about 5 million visitors yearly.
23. The building does not only lean, it also curves at the top of the building.
24. The main intention for the construction of the Leaning Tower of Pisa was to show off after they had sacked the Sicilian Palermo and decided to show off its treasures.
25. The building was originally designed to be the tallest bell tower of its time.
26. The tower has seven bells at its apex.
27. The major material used in the construction of this tower is a marble.
28. The bells of the Leaning Tower of Pisa were the last rung in January 1990.
29. It said that the tower started leaning 5 years into its construction.
30. It is not the only leaning tower in Pisa.
31. The tower is said to have been tilted in different directions with the passing years.
32. There are about 100 windows in the tower. Quite impressive for an empty building.
33. Lime, stone, and marble were used in the construction of this tower.
34. Children below the age of 8 are not allowed to climb up the tower.
35. The tower started sinking during the construction of its 2nd floor.
36. The tower currently leans to about 4°.
37. Children between the ages of 8-18 are not allowed to climb the tower alone.
38. The tower is about 900 years old.
39. The Leaning tower was one of the 7 wonders of the world for leaning and still standing.
40. The tower weighs about 14.7 million kg.
41. The supporting architects of this tower were Giovanni Pisano, Giovanni di Simone, and Gherado di Gherado.
42. Some believe that the name Pisa originates from an Etruscan language that means mouth.
43. The Pisa’s cathedral and the baptistery are also sinking.
44. Tommaso di Andrea Pisano was the one who ordered the building of this amazing tower.
45. The tower was originally designed to have 8 floors, but because of its bent nature, the construction had to stop at the 4th floor, but the construction was later continued.
46. The 7 bells of the tower were built to represent the 7 notes of the musical major scale.
47. The tower was removed from the 7 wonders of the earth because it became impossible to climb the tower.
48. The tower was shut in 1990 due to its tilting. To help the tilting to stop, the engineers removed the bells to reduce the weight on the building.
49. The tower once bent to about 5.5°.
50. The stairs up to the apex of the building are tight, so, if you are claustrophobic, please, do not attempt climbing.
51. The tower was restored from 1990-2001 and at the end of the restoration, the leaning was reduced to about half a degree (an inch).