The Leaning Tower of Pisa: a unique symbol of Italy, its secrets and attractions

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The Leaning Tower of Pisa, the tilted bell tower of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, attracts millions of tourists from around the world.
Located in the city of Pisa, the tower has become a symbol not only of the city but of all of Italy.
What to See as a Tourist
- The Leaning Tower of Pisa: Climb to the top of the tower to enjoy a panoramic view of Pisa. Keep in mind that advance booking is required for the ascent.
- Pisa Cathedral: A magnificent cathedral in the Romanesque style with a richly decorated interior.
- St. John’s Baptistery: The largest baptistery in Italy, known for its unique acoustics.
- Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles): The square where the main attractions of the city are located.
- Campo Santo: A historic cemetery with unique frescoes and architecture.

Photo: Ray in Manila, CC BY 2.0
5 Interesting Facts About the Leaning Tower of Pisa
- Leaning from the start: The tower began to lean during construction due to the soft ground.
- Long construction: The construction of the tower took almost 200 years, with interruptions due to wars and issues with the leaning.
- Tilt correction: In the 1990s, stabilization work reduced the tilt by 45 cm.
- Galileo Galilei: According to legend, Galileo conducted experiments with falling bodies by dropping objects from the tower.
- The tower rings: The tower houses seven bells, each corresponding to a musical note.

Photo: © Arne Müseler, arne-mueseler.com, CC-BY-SA-3.0
The Leaning Tower of Pisa was built in three stages over almost 200 years, from 1173 to 1372. Delays were caused not only by the tower's lean but also by wars with neighboring city-states.
The long construction period allowed architects to account for the lean and make adjustments to the upper floors.
Pisa is also the hometown of the famous mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci. In the 13th century, he introduced the Indian-Arabic numeral system and the sequence of numbers named after him to Europe. His works had a profound influence on the development of mathematics and science in general.
Visiting Pisa and its famous tower is an unforgettable adventure. You can purchase tickets online via this link.