For many tourists, a trip to Italy isn’t complete without a visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The tower is one of the most famous structures in the world, yet few people know what lies inside. If you want to find out more about this iconic monument, check out our guide to the interior of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
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What is the Leaning Tower of Pisa
A few hours from Florence, in the small town of Pisa, there is a leaning tower. It’s called the Leaning Tower of Pisa (Torre Pendente di Pisa). The tower was built in 1173, and for more than 800 years it was a symbol of the power and wealth of the city. Today, it has become a symbol of Italy: it is one of the most famous attractions in Italy and Europe. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most recognizable structures on the planet.
Rising to a height of over 186 feet and weighing over 14,000 tons, it is a popular tourist attraction in Italy. It is made of brick and stone masonry, and has 294 steps to the top. The Leaning Tower of Pisa was originally built as part of the complex in Pisa’s Piazza dei Miracoli or “Square of Miracles” in the year 1173 and has since been leaning at a rate of 0.5 degrees per century. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the only one of its kind in the world and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
What is the Leaning Tower of Pisa famous for
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the most famous symbol of Pisa, a city in Tuscany in Central Italy. It is famous for its iconic and unusual lean, the result of an unstable foundation. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the freestanding bell tower of the cathedral of the Italian city of Pisa, known worldwide for its nearly four-degree lean,.
The structure was built as the bell tower of the city’s cathedral. Its designer was Bonanno Pisano, an architect and engineer, who drew up the foundation and building plans.
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The Leaning Tower of Pisa had begun to lean by the time its builders reached the third story, due to the soft ground. The foundations of the tower had become unstable due to shifting soil. Its architect and engineer tried to correct this by shortening the remainder of the stories uphill – but without benefit. It continued to lean further and further.
The lean, first seen when three of the eight floors were built, was caused by the soft grounding of soft clay, fine sand and coats. In an attempt to compensate for the lean, the following stories were built slightly higher on the tower’s short side. The extra floor weight led to the building sinking and leaning further.
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What is inside of Leaning Tower of Pisa
There are nearly 300 steps within the tower, in a very narrow staircase with steps that are heavily eroded. In the middle of the tower is nothing. It’s a empty cylinder which goes all the way up to the 8th floor where the view from is exceptional. On the top you can also found the cathedral bell, what initially the tower has been built for.
How to visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa
The opening hours of the Leaning Tower vary depending on the season. From April to June, the hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and from June to September, the hours are 8.30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
To be able to visit the inside of Leaning Tower of Pisa, you must purchase a ticket and to make sure to be at the exact appointment time at the entrance and includes 30 minutes to climb to the top, enjoy the views and head back down. You can buy your ticket here. As recommendation best is to use flat shoes to be able to climb the narrow steps up to the top.
