![]() Its struggles can be seen in the fact that it still leans, whilst its combination of Gothic and Romanesque style demonstrate its centuries worth of production. The length of the project, caused by a mixture of construction failures, war and differing architects and designers makes the completion of the Leaning Tower even more impressive. Eventually the bell tower was added in 1372, with the largest of the seven bells installed in 1655. ![]() In 1272, for example, under the architect Di Simone, engineers built upper floors with one side taller than the other, and it is because of this that the tower is curved. From December 1233, the tower’s construction continued with efforts to keep building whilst compensating for the tower’s tilt. History of Stabilisationįortunately this gave time for the underlying soil to settle, otherwise the tower would almost have certainly toppled. Without being able to fix the problem or build anymore, the project was discontinued and the construction was subsequently halted for almost a century, as Pisa engaged in battles with Genoa, Lucca and Florence. An element that would have flawed the design from the beginning if it had been known or considered. It was concluded that the presence of soft alluvial soil on one side of the buildings foundations was causing the tower to lean due to its weak, unstable ground. First noted when three of the tower’s eight stories had been built, Simone attempted to use slightly smaller components on the short side to compensate for the lean, however the weight of the extra floors only cause the edifice to sink further and lean more. But soon into its construction it was obvious that the building was starting to lean. While there has been much controversy over the real identity of the architect who constructed the tower, it is Giovanni di Simone whose name is majorly attributed for designing this human marvel! The construction began with full force on 9th August 1173 and continued until 1178. The Leaning Tower itself wasn’t intended to be more significant than its neighbouring builds, simply being a characteristic feature of Catholic Churches, but naturally its 4 degree lean made it unique in its grandeur. ![]() Today this complex is known as the Piazza dei Miracoli (the Square of Miracles) and is recognised as one of the finest architectural complexes in the world. The plan included a cathedral, baptistery, cemetery and a bell tower. This grew their prestige and their wealth and it was decided that they would demonstrate this by building a grand cathedral complex called the ‘Field of Miracles’. In their notable establishment they sacked many cities and were granted many privileges, such as immunity from taxation. With this Pisa’s fame and power gradually grew over the years, as they became involved in various military conflicts and trade agreements. Around the year 1000 Pisa was one of the four maritime republics who built fleets of ships both for their own protection and to support extensive trade networks across the Mediterranean, giving them an essential role in the Crusades. The Tower was a part of the grand project to flaunt both the military victories and grandeur of Pisa. In fact, this gravity-defying freestanding white bell tower with its distinctive tilt has attracted tourists from all around the world! In order to help familiarise yourself with the fascinating history of this iconic structure, we’ve done the groundwork for you on the dramatic evolution of the Leaning Tower of Pisa: Why was it Built? Reckoned as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this monument is an absolute miracle of medieval engineering. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is undoubtedly the most magnificent Romanesque architecture in Italy. Why was it built? Why does it tilt? These are just some of the question we’ll be answering in this quick history of the Leaning Tower of Pisa!
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