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This is a fact, that many of the bell towers in Italy are also leaning for one reason or another. (According to the The Guinness Book of World Records the Tower of Suurhusen in Germany is leaner than the Leaning Tower of Pisa ???).
But none of them famous enough as this one, the 55m high, white marble leaning campanile with an inclination of 5° in southern direction.
In the past it was widely believed that the inclination of the campanile was part of the project ever since its beginning, but it is not so.
Incidentally, it started leaning before it was even finished. The reason was the shifting soil as grounding. The builders tried to compensate the leaning, but without any succes.
However, the lean is greater at the bottom than at the top. If you look at the tower from the appropriate direction you may notice it is really not perfectly straight on one angle.
A lot of work has gone into its maintenance in the last 50 years to stop it from leaning further, for example injecting concrete into the ground underneath. I have not heard whether these efforts have been completely successful.
It is difficult to predict whether it will fall or not, however, Pisa without the tower would be Venice without the water!!!
One more fact has to be added: also Galilei has been reported to have dropped bullets with different mass off the tower and proved that the speed of the freefall is independent from the mass of the bullets.
I think a visit to Pisa won’t be complete for you without climbing the tower, which is not so easy, because there is some limit of climbers per day.
It is the best to check in advance to make sure it is open when you go and reserve your place in advance (highly recommended!!!!).
Opening hours in high season 8:30am - 8:30pm, last entry 8pm.
For detailed informations check the Website.
Admission costs €15 (€17 if you book online in advance).
Online booking: http://boxoffice.opapisa.it/Torre/index.jsp
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Updated Jun 2, 2009
Address: Campo dei Miracoli
Website: http://www.opapisa.it/?id=15&L=1&T=2
OK, I guess the reason we ventured to Pisa, like most other people.
First impressions are probably the ones that stay with you, yes, it does lean a long way!
Glad I've been to visit it, and enjoyed my time there, managed to resist the obligatory photo, did enjoy watching others do it though!
Updated Feb 16, 2009
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The first impression I had about the tower was that it is not very tall, but as I got closer to it, I find out I was wrong. Indeed it is beautiful and you can go to the top after paying 12€, which I think it is expensive so, I just walked around and of course, I was one of the hundreds of tourists who took a picture of myself holding the tower up; yes a silly picture but what could I do??? hehe! Take a moment to see how other tourists make different posses to get their picture taken, you'll enjoy and laugh a lot about that!
Updated Jan 15, 2009
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The construction of this imposing mass was started in the year 1174 by Bonanno Pisano. When the tower had reached its third storey the works ceased because it had started sinking into the ground. The tower remained thus for 90 years. It was completed by Giovanni di Simone, Tommano Simone (son of Andreo Pisano), crowned the tower with the belfry at half of 14th century.
The top of the Leaning Tower can be reached by mounting the 294 steps which rise in the form of a spiral on the inner side of the tower walls.
This very famous work is of Romanesque style, and as already stated dates back to the year 1174. Cylindrical in shape it is supplied whit six open galleries. A cornice separates these galleries one from the other and each presents a series of small arches fitted on the capitals of the slender columns. In the base there is a series of big blind arcades with geometrical decorations. In the belfry there is the same design of arcades as that of the base, with the difference that here, there are, apart from the reduced proportions, the housings of the bells.
Written Sep 3, 2008
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The obvious is to go see the tower. It is difficult to get to the top, and long lines could take 1-2 hours to finally get the chance. Cost to enter the tower was 12 euro, way too pricey for me.
The cathedral adjacent to the tower is a site in its own right. It has white marble throughout and was originally build in 1063. Later restored in 1600's
Updated Aug 24, 2008
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I had the impression that the tower was much more leaning than the first time I saw it, in the 80's...
It is possible to climb up to the tower, but there are some restrictions. You have to be fit to go upstairs!
Galileo made some experiments with cannon balls to demonstrate that the descending speed does not depend on the mass.
Written Jul 27, 2008
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The construction of this amazing bell tower of the cathedral was started in the year 1173 by Bonanno Pisano. When the tower had reached its third storey the works ceased because it had started inclining from the vertical plane due to sinking into the ground. During that period, there were no advanced geo-technical investigation facilities to accurately assess the properties of soil. Hence the bearing capacity of soil based on settlement criteria was not assessed and the tower started leaning due to differential settlement of pile foundation supporting the tower. The tower remained thus for 90 years. It was completed by Giovanni di Simone, Tommano Simone, crowned the tower with the belfry during 14th century. Even today, the tower continues to lean further. However, the inclination of the tower makes this structure very unique and attracts lot of tourists all round the year. Please do not miss it during your Italy tour.
You can reach the top of the Leaning Tower by climbing the 294 steps in the form of a spiral on the inner side of the tower.
Most of the tourists visit Pisa on a day trip from Florence by train. The journey is an hour-long train ride up to Pisa Centrale station (Cost Euro 5/-). The tower is at half an hour walking distance from railway station . Alternately, three buses, the Navetta A-3 and A-4, run at a frequency of 10 minutes ( Cost 25¢) and drop you in front of the Field of Miracles, very near the tower. A taxi from the railway station may cost about Euro 10/-.
Updated Jun 28, 2008
Address: PISA, ITALY
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I think that most people go to Pisa just to see the leaning tower. It is a nice bell tower, but if it wasn't leaning I don't think it would really attract hordes of tourists.
Lots of people enjoy taking funny pictures with the tower, either pushing it over or holding it up. Enjoy it and you'll always be able to tell your friends you were there.
Written May 26, 2008
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Yes, you should, if in the area, see Pisa. The tower is quite impressive, esp if you're fascinated by Renaissance architecture. What I find most interesting about the tower is how the design actually curves as if they were trying to compensate for the tilt, a tilt which began as they were constructing the 3rd level. Equally, the baptistry and duomo are both quite stunning examples of Renaissance architecture as well so don't pass up the opportunity to visit them too.
Here's my advice: go to Pisa in the AM, say by 10. See the tower & it's accoutrements and then get yourself some lunch along either the Via Roma or Via Santa Maria. There's a plethora of nice restaurants along there, the one I happened to dine at had excellent seafood.
After you've eaten, travel north to the town of Lucca. See my Lucca tip for more details.
Updated May 14, 2008
Website: http://www.comune.pisa.it/english/
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The Field of Miracles, as I mentioned in my intro, consists of the baptisery, cathedral (duomo), the bell tower (leaning tower) and the Cemetery. All of these buildings are situated on a beautiful piece of green grassy property. The sight was filled with tourists doing the silly poses of "holding the tower up" and locals lovebirds enjoying a picnic on the grass. We spent a lot of time just taking it all in, as it was such a peaceful and happy place to be. It was a sunny, beautiful day and you couldn't have asked for a better climate. We chose not to climb the leaning tower as it was a little pricey, 15 euros, as well as the queasy, uneasy feeling we got contemplating it.
Written Apr 17, 2008
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Write a ReviewThe Field of Miracles, as I mentioned in my intro, consists of the baptisery, cathedral (duomo), the bell tower (leaning tower) and the Cemetery. All of these...
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