![]() ![]() It was also, naturally, a symbol of the moral and civil virtues of the entire community. It was a sort of lighthouse, a reference point between the city and the piazza. T he Tower rises 56 meters high and is visible not only from anywhere in the piazza but even from the River Arno. The “lean” of the Tower, so characteristic of this building, can easily be measured by the overhang of the horizontal cornices that crown each floor: the highest sticks out 4 meters over the lowest, an inclination of more that 5 degrees. Its base is a good four meters in width then thins out towards the top where it's about half that. The Tower's weight is indeed notable: it's an empty cylinder tipping the scales at 14,500 tons, and its width varies. Although stately, this monument is not lacking in elegance and lightness due to the arcades and open galleries between one storey and another. In the belfry there is the same design of arcades as that of the base, with the difference that here, there are, apart from the reduced proportions, the housings of the bells. In the base there is a series of big blind arcades with geometrical decorations. A cornice separates these galleries one from the other and each presents a series of small arches fitted on the capitals of the slender columns. Cylindrical in shape it is supplied whit six open galleries. This very famous work is of Romanesque style, and as already stated dates back to the year 1174. The top of the leaning tower of Pisa can be reached by mounting the 294 steps which rise in the form of a spiral on the inner side of the tower walls. ![]() It was completed by Giovanni di Simone, Tommano Simone (son of Andreo Pisano), crowned the tower with the belfry at half of 14th century. When the tower of Pisa had reached its third storey the works ceased because it had started sinking into the ground. The construction of this imposing mass was started in the year 1174 by Bonanno Pisano. At any rate, it's not by chance that it's placed in the most visible point of the piazza, at the intersection of two of the most ancient streets of the city: Via Santa Maria and Via Emilia that proceeds towards the Duomo. The leaning tower of Pisa is the belltower of the Duomo but its position is singular: in fact, it isn't placed next to the Duomo's facade as would be usual but is instead set apart from it. In fact, the leaning tower isn't the only thing that leans in Pisa, there are plenty of buildings all over the city that lean in every direction - palaces, churches, even simple houses. The ground on which Pisa is built is a flood plain and can't withstand excessive weight. The Tower of Pisa was, in fact, intended to be straight but began to lean even as it was being built this was due to the continual subsidence or weakening of the ground beneath it, a subject of study and intervention to this day. ![]() Its particular alignment was certainly not part of the original plan, even though, in the past, it was believed to have been. Its exceptional nature isn't due only to its peculiar inclination because, even if it didn't lean, the Tower of Pisa would still be one of the most remarkable belltowers in Europe. Security checks include a metal detector.The Leaning Tower of Pisa, within the confines of that incredible medieval enclosure known as Pisa's Field of Miracles or Campo dei Miracoli, is not only one of the most famous of monuments but also one of the most original in the world, absolutely unique in its kind.The visit is not recommended for people with cardiovascular and motor disorders.Leaning Tower: admission is free of charge only for visitors with disabilities and accompanying person, upon presentation of appropriate certification at the ticket office.Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult. For safety reasons, children under the age of 8 are not permitted to enter the tower.If you've selected the combined ticket, you can enter the other monuments at the time you prefer within 1 year after your visit to the tower The time booked refers only to the access to the Leaning Tower.The agency commission applied to the ticket price (except for the guided tour option) allows you to receive the official ticket and go directly to the turnstiles, avoiding the lines at the ticket office.The Sinopie Museum is closed from 10 to 18 November Please note: from November 2 to December 7, the Baptistery will be closed. ![]()
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