The Leaning Tower of Pisa
Some important things to note before we begin
If you want to climb the tower, you need to plan in advance. There are sites that will let you get a ticket in advance, but if you will be in the area you can go the desk, get a ticket, and most likely they will have a spot for you at the end of the day.
To enter the church, you need a ticket as well. This is free and you can get one at the ticket office. (There will be a time on the ticket, pay no attention - you can enter the church whenever you like)
Outside the walls there are tons of venders and scammers, they are not allowed to set up shop inside the walls, but be on the look out for pickpockets regardless of where you are.
Back in the 12th century, Pisa was a bustling maritime city with big ambitions. The city's leaders decided to build a magnificent bell tower for the Pisa Cathedral, known as the Duomo di Pisa. Construction on the tower, which would serve as the campanile (bell tower) for the cathedral, began in 1173. Little did anyone know that this would set the stage for one of the most famous architectural mysteries in history.
Why is the Tower leaning?
The trouble began almost immediately. The tower was constructed on soft, unstable soil, primarily composed of clay, mud, and sand. The foundation of the tower was only three meters deep, which wasn't sufficient to support the tower's weight. As construction progressed, it became evident that the tower was leaning southward. Work on the tower was halted several times due to political conflicts and military campaigns, which inadvertently allowed the soil to settle and stabilize. This unintentional pause in construction may have contributed to the tower's survival and eventual fame.
As the tower continued to lean, architects and engineers of the time had to come up with creative solutions to prevent its collapse. One of the most notable measures was the construction of extra weight on the short side of the tower, counterbalancing its tilt. Additional layers of stone were added to one side to offset the lean and stabilize the structure. These efforts, though well-intentioned, weren't enough to completely rectify the tower's tilt.
Will the Leaning Tower of Pisa eventually fall?
In the 20th century, concern over the tower's stability grew, and experts feared that it could collapse. Extensive restoration and stabilization efforts were undertaken, involving the removal of soil from underneath the tower and the insertion of lead counterweights on its north side. These interventions succeeded in reducing the lean and ensuring the tower's safety for future generations.
Today, the Leaning Tower of Pisa stands as a remarkable symbol of human perseverance and adaptability. Its unintentional tilt has made it a global icon, attracting millions of visitors from around the world who come to marvel at its unique beauty and snap the obligatory "holding up the tower" photo. The tower's construction, marked by its initial missteps and subsequent creative problem-solving, offers a valuable lesson in the power of innovation and determination. It reminds us that even the most apparent architectural blunders can transform into enduring treasures that stand the test of time.
When you walk through the main gates you are greeted with this view, lines of people walking up and back on the asphalt path. To the left (or right, depending on the entrance) you will see the main attractions. 3 distinct buildings, The Tower of Pisa, Baptistery di San Giovanni, Cathedral di Pisa. Before going here I had no idea it was within a group of three. The main path is where you go into the visitor buildings which have ticket booths, bathrooms and some water to buy.
I would personally recommend getting your tickets first and then as you make your way around, stop in when you are ready. Making it a mission to cache your ticket, might make you miss some amazing details. Like on the tower, right around the entrance there are some intricate carvings of animals and a sailing ship. You can even see when they started using different types of stone to complete it.
As amazing as the tower was, the cathedra di Pisa really stole the show. It was stunning both inside and out. The amount of detail carved onto the walls, and even metal doors was incredible. The carvings on the door are actually depicting revelations. The inside was something you really need to see for yourself to appreciate.
Now I do appreciate the gold ceiling, the amazing sculptures, and the beautiful paintings, but what I was most interested in was the chandelier. This chandelier was the inspiration for Galileo Galilei to discover how the earth is moving.
It is strange the think that that piece of metal I was looking at, is the same thing that Galileo looked at, and had an epiphany that changed the world of science. I unfortunately had no life changing thoughts, but it was a surreal experience. The other wild experience was seeing the body of St Rainerius. Now I was not able to get a great look, but they have a casket and one of the sides is made of plexiglass so you can see inside.
The section was pretty heavily roped off, this image was as close as I could get. I actually only found out it was a body while writing this article. When I was there though I was seeing the outline thinking “is that a body?”. You may also hear of another body on the premises, the holy roman emperor Henry VII. That at a point was true, but as of today the body has been moved and only the empty tomb remains.
I would definitely recommend paying the Tower of Pisa a visit. Seeing the tower leaning is actually a very weird experience and it is one I will not forget. The Tower climb looked amazing from what I saw so don’t make the same mistake I did. Get that ticket in advance, I unfortunately can not recommend any site because I didn’t use one. From my research the location does not appear to have an official online ticket site, it is only third party. If you do happen to find an official site please send us over an email and I would be more than happy to give credit and post a link to the ticket site.