The Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the world's most famous
construction mistake. The architect, Bonanno Pisano,
found his bell tower starting to lean almost immediately
after he began to build it. And the lean kept increasing
through the centuries, a tourist bonanza for Pisa, that
would end if the tower leaned too far and fell.
This picture was taken in 1994, prior to a major
engineering effort to stabilize the tower and reduce the
lean by 10%. The tower was also closed to visitors. I
had climbed it back in 1986, great fun, but disorienting.
construction mistake. The architect, Bonanno Pisano,
found his bell tower starting to lean almost immediately
after he began to build it. And the lean kept increasing
through the centuries, a tourist bonanza for Pisa, that
would end if the tower leaned too far and fell.
This picture was taken in 1994, prior to a major
engineering effort to stabilize the tower and reduce the
lean by 10%. The tower was also closed to visitors. I
had climbed it back in 1986, great fun, but disorienting.
Returning to Pisa in 2001, I wanted to help the tower by any
means necessary; lending a hand, or at least a few fingers.
The lean does appear less than in the picture above taken
seven years earlier.
means necessary; lending a hand, or at least a few fingers.
The lean does appear less than in the picture above taken
seven years earlier.
The lean remains apparent from the tower's base. In 2001,
there were counterweights and cables to the left of the base
trying to assert some control. The project was declared a
success, and the Leaning Tower opened to visitors again.
there were counterweights and cables to the left of the base
trying to assert some control. The project was declared a
success, and the Leaning Tower opened to visitors again.
The Duomo (cathedral) on the left does not lean and sets the
standard for vertical in Pisa. It's bell tower provides a stark
contrast in this 1994 picture.
standard for vertical in Pisa. It's bell tower provides a stark
contrast in this 1994 picture.
Still leaning after all these years.
If you have a high speed internet connection, watch the
Intrepid Berkeley Explorer's free videos, "Gondola With the
Wind 2", all-Italy from 2001, and the original "Gondola
With the Wind" (Rome, Pisa, Florence & Venice) from 1994,
both available by clicking on AdventurePics.com .
Intrepid Berkeley Explorer's free videos, "Gondola With the
Wind 2", all-Italy from 2001, and the original "Gondola
With the Wind" (Rome, Pisa, Florence & Venice) from 1994,
both available by clicking on AdventurePics.com .
Italy