The Leaning Tower of Pisa has become a symbol of Italy and an icon of the world, but what many don’t know is that it almost fell. The tower is actually a freestanding bell tower, the campanile, of the cathedral in the Italian city of Pisa. Construction began in 1173 and was completed in 1372, but the building began to lean soon after construction began due to an inadequate foundation on ground too soft on one side to adequately support the structure’s weight. Despite the lean, the tower remained standing for centuries until it was almost destroyed in the early 20th century.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa Almost Fell
In the early 1900s, the tower was in danger of collapsing due to the lean. Engineers proposed several solutions to save the tower, including buttressing the base and adding new foundations. However, these solutions were deemed too expensive and were not implemented. Instead, in 1934, the Italian government decided to stabilize the tower by drilling into the ground and inserting metal rods to secure it. This worked, and the tower has remained standing since then.
The Tower is Still Leaning
Despite the stabilization efforts, the tower is still leaning at an angle of 3.99 degrees. This is due to the fact that the tower was built on soft ground and its weight is unevenly distributed. In addition, the tower is sinking at a rate of about 1mm a year due to the weight of tourists and the vibrations from nearby trains and buses.
Preservation Efforts
In the late 1990s, the Italian government launched a project to preserve the tower and ensure its long-term stability. The project involved the installation of hundreds of underground steel anchors and a complex system of counterweights to counteract the tower’s tilt. As a result, the lean of the tower has been reduced to 2.5 degrees, and it is now considered safe for visitors.
Conclusion
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is an iconic structure that has become a symbol of Italy and a tourist attraction for millions of people each year. Despite its precarious position, the tower has been stabilized and is now safe for visitors. Its tilt, however, is a reminder of its history and the fact that it almost fell.
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