The Leaning Tower of Pisa
By Alice Henry
@IreneVincent (15960)
United States
August 3, 2016 5:10pm CST
For what is the Leaning Tower of Pisa famous? It is famous for only one thing. It leans and it hasn’t fallen over yet, after 843 years!
The first stone of what was to become a bell tower, was laid in the year 1173. The work was stopped in 1184, after the third story was completed, because it was already visibly clear that one side of the foundation was sinking and the tower had begun to lean.
Another architect, from 1275 until 1284, added three more floors, attempting to correct the lean.
The tower eventually had eight floors and was 185 feet tall, which was only a third of the height that was originally planned and the tower continued to lean.
Finally, almost 1000 tons of lead was added to the north side of the tower to stabilize the tower.
Have you ever visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
Picture by Pixabay
7 people like this
6 responses
@marguicha (230365)
• Chile
3 Aug 16
I have gone to Pisa and thought I would be awed by the tower. Yet I discovered there that the Tower was just the belfry. The church and the baptistere were equally impressive,
1 person likes this
@marguicha (230365)
• Chile
4 Aug 16
@IreneVincent I know. And when I went to Pisa, I was prepared to see the tower, but I did not dream of the rest of the magnificent buildings.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
4 Aug 16
@marguicha I would guess that the rest of the world would be as surprised as you were. I've never HEARD of the other buildings there in Pisa.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
4 Aug 16
Yes it was just a bell tower, but it became famous for leaning
1 person likes this
@cmoneyspinner (9218)
• Austin, Texas
12 Aug 16
Never visited. But have always been fascinated by it. I'm still wondering why it's still standing. 
1 person likes this
With my luck, I'll be the first person to visit and it will fall on me. @cmoneyspinner (9218)
• Austin, Texas
14 Aug 16
@IreneVincent - Yeah. That's a cute commercial.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
13 Aug 16
1000 tons of lead was added to stabilize it, so they say.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
3 Aug 16
I think they should have stopped building immediately and done something about the foundation.
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
3 Aug 16
most fascinatin', aint 't? no ma'am, aint ne'er been abroad to've witnessed such wonders personally.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
4 Aug 16
I've been to Europe ( Spain, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, England, ) but not to Italy. I'd love to be able to go.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
4 Aug 16
@IreneVincent only country i've been to 'sides the good ol' u.s.a. 'd be canada :) had to go through there to get to alaska, lol. whilst i'd love to go to other countries 'n see the many wonders they've to offer, i feel slightly ashamed that i've not done such here'n u.s. soil.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
4 Aug 16
@crazyhorseladycx I've seen a lot of the USA but there is a lot I have yet to see.
1 person likes this
@Mike197602 (15504)
• United Kingdom
3 Aug 16
I went once when I was a kid 30 years or so ago but not since.
Can't really remember much about it to be honest.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
4 Aug 16
I've never been to Italy, but I've been to several other countries in Europe.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
4 Aug 16
I only saw the Leaning Tower of Pisa from a distance while on a train.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
4 Aug 16
Well hey! At least, you saw it. I've never been anywhere near it.
