The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of Italy’s most famous landmarks, drawing curious visitors from around the world. But how well do you really know it? Here are some of the lesser-known facts.
Why it Leans
It’s no secret that the Tower of Pisa leans sideways, but have you ever wondered why? Whether you have or haven’t, here’s the scoop: The land on which the tower was built is mostly clay. Ignoring the potential risks, the architects made the tower super tall with only a minimal investment in its foundations, which were just 3 meters deep. Talk about careless.
Construction Time: Two Centuries
Believe it or not, the Leaning Tower of Pisa took ‘only’ two centuries to build. A multitude of complications kept causing delays, and it was finally completed in 1372. All in all, it took 199 years to finish. Nice work, everyone!
Change of Tilt
Here’s an interesting tidbit: the tilt direction of the Leaning Tower of Pisa isn’t permanent! It started out leaning toward the south, then switched its tilt to the north when construction resumed. Currently, due to further construction work, it’s back leaning toward the north. But who knows what the future holds?
