The Leaning Tower of Pisa: Medieval Architecture

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of Italy’s most iconic landmarks and a marvel of medieval architecture. The tower stands at 187 feet tall on its highest side and features eight floors, including the bell chamber at the top. The tower is in Pisa, Italy. Construction of the tower began in 1173 and spanned nearly 200 years, due to intermittent work caused by wars and financial problems. Shortly after construction started, by the time the third floor was built, the tower began to lean due to the soft and unstable subsoil underneath. The mixture of clay and sand couldn't properly support the weight of the structure. Efforts to correct this flaw failed, and construction was halted several times over the centuries. By the time the seventh floor was added in 1319, the lean had worsened, giving the tower its characteristic tilt. The tower’s lean has become an inseparable part of its charm, turning a near disaster into a celebrated phenomenon.