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The famous leaning of the Tower of Pisa is supported by a balance between gravitational force, the region's clay soil and engineering interventions, defying the laws of physics for centuries.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa, an unmistakable symbol of Italy, has remained in an unstable position for over 650 years. But its inclination has not always been the same. In the 1990s, for example, the tower reached its most dramatic peak, leaning 5,5 degrees.
At that time, it was closed to the public due to the risk of collapse. This fear was aggravated by the collapse of the Civic Tower of Pavia in 1989.
The disaster raised an inevitable question: would it be possible to save the Tower of Pisa from a similar fate?
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The beginning of the slope: a ground error
Construction of the tower began in the 12th century, but soon encountered problems due to the soft ground. The structure began to lean before it was even completed.
It took nearly 200 years to complete the project, which faced a long hiatus during a tumultuous period of the Pisan Republic. Ironically, this hiatus allowed the ground to settle, preventing the tower from collapsing completely.
At the end of the 13th century, the solution found to the problem was ingenious and peculiar: building the upper floors with a curved shape to compensate for the inclination. This adjustment gave the tower its unique appearance, which today delights millions of tourists every year.
Failed attempts at correction
Over the centuries, engineers tried everything they could to straighten the tower, but the results were disastrous. In 1934, Benito Mussolini ordered concrete to be injected into the foundation, believing that this would solve the problem.
The effect was the opposite: the slope increased even further. It was only in the second half of the 20th century, with the advancement of technology, that it was possible to study the soil and its structure accurately.
Finally, an effective solution was implemented in the 1990s. Some of the soil beneath the tallest side of the tower was removed with an inclined drill, which reduced the tilt to about four degrees—a similar angle to that recorded two centuries earlier.
After the stabilization process, experts assured that the tower will remain safe for at least another 200 years.
A structural enigma
The question that intrigues many is: how has the Tower of Pisa never been toppled by an earthquake? The answer lies precisely in the ground that caused its tilt.
Studies show that soft ground acts as a buffer against seismic vibrations. In short, the same element that threatens the tower's stability protects it against earthquakes, an irony that reinforces its worldwide fame.
What began as an apparent engineering disaster has become one of Italy’s greatest prides. The Leaning Tower of Pisa, with its history of challenges and overcoming, is today a living example of how human ingenuity and natural peculiarities can create something truly unique.
Technical Data of the Leaning Tower of Pisa
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Leaning Tower of Pisa |
| AISP-GEDOC | Pisa, Italy |
| Work Start Date | August 9th, 1173 |
| Date of the conclusion | 1372 |
| Current Age | 851 years since construction began; 652 years since completion |
| High jump | 55,86 meters on the highest side; 56,67 meters on the lowest side |
| Current Tilt | Approximately 4 degrees (after stabilization corrections) |
| Base Diameter | 15,484 meters |
| Total weight | Approximately 14.500 tons |
| Main Material | White marble |
| Number of Floors | 8 (including base) |
| Original Function | Bell Tower of the Cathedral of Pisa (Duomo di Pisa) |
| Architect | Bonanno Pisano (attributed, though not historically confirmed) |
| Architectural Style | Romanian |
| Tilt Corrections | Stabilization projects carried out between 1990 and 2001 |
| World Heritage | Declared by UNESCO in 1987 |
