The Leaning Tower of Pisa is an iconic landmark located in the Italian city of Pisa. It is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world and is renowned for its tilt. The tower is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been standing since the 12th century. Despite its fame, there have been fears that the tower may collapse due to its tilt.
History of the Tower
The tower was constructed in 1173 and was originally intended to be a bell tower for the nearby cathedral. It was built on unstable ground and began to lean soon after construction began. Despite this, the tower was completed in 1350 and has been standing ever since. It is estimated that the tower leans at an angle of approximately 4.5 degrees, which is more than five times the angle of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Fears of Collapse
The tower’s tilt has been a cause for concern for many years and there have been numerous attempts to stabilize it. In the 1990s, a project was launched to try and prevent the tower from collapsing. This involved inserting large metal rods into the foundation of the tower to help support its weight. However, the project was not successful and the tower continued to lean.
In 2008, a new stabilization project was launched. This involved drilling large holes into the foundation of the tower and inserting concrete pillars. The project was successful and the tower’s tilt has been reduced by approximately 40 cm. The project also included the installation of a state-of-the-art monitoring system to detect any changes in the tower’s tilt.
Safety Measures
In recent years, the Italian government has taken steps to ensure the safety of visitors to the tower. A number of safety measures have been put in place, including the installation of a metal fence around the base of the tower and the closure of the uppermost level of the tower to visitors. In addition, the tower is monitored 24 hours a day by a team of experts who are on call to respond to any changes in the tower’s tilt.
Conclusion
Despite fears that the Leaning Tower of Pisa may collapse, it has stood for over 700 years and is still a popular tourist attraction. Thanks to the efforts of the Italian government, the tower has been stabilized and is now safer than ever before. Although the tower may never be perfectly upright, it will remain a symbol of Pisa for many years to come.