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The Leaning Tower of Pisa (Torre pendente di Pisa) is one of the most notable medieval architectural works in Europe, built in 1173. It was part of a construction project in Piazza del Miracoli, Pisa, Italy.
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Leaning Tower of Pisa has been tilted since its construction began. Even after completion, the structure continued to lean but did not collapse. The tower is 55.86 meters tall from the ground to the lowest point and 56.70 meters to the highest point, has 294 steps, and weighs approximately 14,500 tons.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa has been leaning since its construction.
The reason for the tower's tilt is attributed to the geographical characteristics of the city of Pisa itself. The soft soil, primarily composed of mud, sand, and clay, is believed to be the main cause of the Leaning Tower of Pisa's tilt. Secondly, the tower's foundation is made from a dense clay mixture and is about 3 meters deep. This foundation is not strong or deep enough to support the enormous weight of approximately 14,000 tons of the entire tower.
During his time in power in Italy, Benito Mussolini ordered engineers to repair the Leaning Tower of Pisa in 1934 by pouring concrete into its foundation. However, this only made the tower lean more.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa - an iconic landmark of Italy.
Throughout history, Italy has experienced many devastating earthquakes. Because the country's center lies at the boundary where the Asian and European tectonic plates meet Africa, large-scale earthquakes frequently occur there.
Furthermore, the inclined foundation of the tower is what helps protect the structure when the ground shakes. The tower is built of marble, which also plays an important role in altering the structure's vibration resistance.
The Italian government has undertaken numerous rescue efforts to help the tower stand firm, ranging from using liquid nitrogen to removing soil from its base. Experts leveled the ground beneath the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and anchoring devices were installed between 1990 and 2001. This solution significantly improved the tower's stability, reducing its tilt to 3.97 degrees from 5.5 degrees in 1990 (the initial tilt was 0.2 degrees). However, experts were unable to completely straighten the structure and prevent further tilting over time.
According to Professor George Mylonakis of the University of Bristol, the very type of soil that created the unstable tilt and caused the tower to collapse is what has helped the structure withstand earthquakes for hundreds of years.
Many scientists assert that the structure will remain safe for many years to come thanks to its unique design.
In other words, the height and rigidity of the tower, combined with the softness of the foundation soil, create a protective structure during earthquakes. The tower is built of marble, which also plays a significant role in altering the structure's vibrations. Researchers believe that this structure holds the world record for the DSSI effect, which is why the Leaning Tower of Pisa will remain safe for many years to come.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of Italy's most famous tourist landmarks, attracting hundreds of thousands of international visitors every year. According to regulations, visitors must be divided into groups of 30, and the tour lasts 30 minutes without a break. Before the tour, guides conduct warm-up exercises to prepare visitors for climbing the 294 slanted steps without dizziness. Children under 8 years old are not allowed to visit the tower, and those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a unique and fascinating architectural design that attracts many tourists to explore. Its involuntary tilt seems to defy time and historical events over the past 800 years.
