Everyone knows about the location of the famous Eiffel Tower. But one of her friends - a similar building, also located in Europe - is no less visited. True, not everyone knows where the Leaning Tower of Pisa is located . And this is despite the fact that the answer to this question lies in its very name, received on behalf of the town in which it is located. Of course, we are talking about Pisa. Lovers of Italy, this place is well known.
So, answering the question “where is the Leaning Tower of Pisa”, let's say - Italy, the province of Tuscany, the city of Pisa.
Inclined belfry - the idea of architects?
Many believe that the leaning tower in Italy appeared due to the imagination of its creators. However, this is a fallacy. It was originally planned that the construction will be the highest in the city, because the belfry was built. The tower was supposed to be located strictly upright and complement the already functioning cathedral and baptistery. The magnificent temple building appeared in the city in the XII century and was erected from white marble. His style has become a trendsetter for many Tuscan cathedrals. The Baptistry holds the title of the world's largest baptismal font.
So the belfry, which subsequently took part of the fame from its neighbors, was to complement the majestic architectural ensemble of the central square of the medieval city. The construction of the tower began at the end of the XII century, but after the construction of three tiers it became clear that the structure began to lean. This confused its creators, and work was stopped. Most likely, this was caused by a design error: under such a massive building, an insufficiently deep foundation was laid. Another version is the different soil density of this place. After all, it is known that not only the tower, but all the ensemble structures have a deviation from the vertical.
One way or another, but the rich medieval city of which Pisa was, it would not be good to exist without a belfry, and work resumed in 1275, that is, the break was almost ninety years. Three more floors were erected, the height of the tower was 48 meters, but the even more increased slope again forced the architects to stop work.
By the way, according to the original plan, the vertical size of the structure was ninety meters. So, when arriving in the city, one might not have known where the Leaning Tower of Pisa is located; it would not have been difficult to find it anyway. After all, even in modern Italy, buildings of this height still need to be searched.
Only in the XIV century. it was decided to give the tower a finished look, however, it was necessary to change the design and reduce the number of floors (tiers). So, the final height of the tower approached the mark of sixty meters, a gallery and a belfry were completed.
With all the apparent lightness and airiness of the structure, the thickness of the walls of its base reaches 4.9 meters, which gives a serious load on the foundation. So the whole subsequent history of the tower is a struggle for its preservation. Some time after the completion of construction, it was found that the slope of the tower is increasing. The first work aimed at stopping the increase in heel was carried out in the XVIII century, then in the XIX. However, this did not lead to the desired result.
The situation was complicated by the fact that the available ways to strengthen the tower could significantly spoil its appearance. The search for a solution took more than one decade; in the twentieth century, several attempts were also made, which continued into the new millennium. Finally, after large-scale work in 2002-2010, to which the best Italian and foreign architects were involved, it was announced that the Leaning Tower of Pisa was not in danger. It is currently open to the public. So those who are able to overcome 294 steps, as a reward, can afford to enjoy a wonderful view of the city from above.
Leaning Tower of Pisa (Italy, Pisa) - how to find
The coordinates are known, it remains to understand how you can get to such a remarkable place. The easiest option is to go on an excursion, but not everyone likes to travel this way.
Modern Pisa is a major transport center. On the territory of the city there is an airport where planes land, including from Russia. The city has good rail links with Rome and Florence, a considerable number of trains arrive from there daily.
For those traveling by car, it will be pleasant to know that the road along the entire coast of the Tyrrhenian and
Ligurian Seas passes through Pisa. So you can
make a route so that the trip was interesting and tireless.
If you look at the map of the city to find out where the Leaning Tower of Pisa is located, you can see that it stands in the very center of the city on Cathedral Square, also called “Square of Miracles”, the main entrance to which is located from Bonnano Pisano street.