Leaning Tower of Pisa

December 10th, 2007 by Shenron

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a 14,500 ton tower with 294 steps and leans at 5.5 degrees, meaning it has moved more than 4 meters from where it originally stood. It began construction in 1173, and soon after the ground under it began to sink in one softer area, along with poor foundation construction, causing the leaning.

It took 174 years to build and complete, considering it was built in stages with add-ons made later, and did not tilt until the weight of the third floor was added on. In order to compensate one side was built heavier than the other with taller walls, but they over compensated and it began to lean in that direction. Recently in the 1990’s to 2001 a mass restoration was undertaken along with strengthening of the structure and reinforcing the base, to prevent collapse and further tilt. Because of these efforts it will remain stable for at least another three hundred years and maintain its iconic status.