At one point, the tower’s lean switched directions. Amazingly, the builders noticed this error early in the two-century construction project: After the addition of a third story to the tower, the ground began to give, prompting that infamous slant. A shallow foundation and the soft ground of Pisa-composed of sand, clay, and deposits from the Tuscan rivers Arno and Serchio-were too unstable to support the building even in the early stages of its construction. While some architectural follies are the product of unforeseeable bouts of bad luck, the Leaning Tower of Pisa’s signature tilt could have been avoided with better planning. The tower leans because of ill-conceived construction plans.Ĭathedral and Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy. A final wave of construction picked up again in the early 14th century, concluding with the installation of a bell chamber in 1372. This time, construction only remained underway for 12 years before another war again stopped the work. Military conflicts with other Italian states soon halted progress on the tower, which did not resume until 1272. By 1178, workers had made it to the third story of the structure, which was already tilting slightly to the north.
It took two centuries to build the Tower of Pisa.Ĭonstruction on a campanile, or bell tower, to accompany the public cathedral in the Italian riverside city of Pisa broke ground in August 1173. Here’s everything you need to know about Italy’s most beloved architectural accident.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa may be the world’s greatest spot for a tourist photo (5 million people visit annually), but there’s a lot more to this centuries-old icon than lighthearted images of your friends and family “holding up” the tower.
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