The Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a freestanding bell tower in Pisa, Italy, world-famous for its unintended tilt caused by unstable ground during construction.
Beginning to lean before construction was even finished due to unexpectedly soft ground beneath its foundation, this tower turned an embarrassing engineering flaw into one of the most recognizable monuments on Earth.
An Unintended Tilt
The tower began leaning during its construction in the 12th century, caused by unexpectedly soft, unstable ground beneath its shallow foundation.
A Slow-Motion Construction
Construction of the tower proceeded intermittently over nearly 200 years, with pauses partly caused by ongoing wars, inadvertently allowing the ground to partially settle between construction phases.
Significant Modern Stabilization Efforts
Engineers undertook significant stabilization efforts in the late 20th century, successfully reducing the tower's dangerous tilt while intentionally preserving its famous leaning appearance.
A World-Famous Tourist Attraction
Despite, or perhaps because of, its unintended flaw, the Leaning Tower of Pisa has become one of the most recognized and visited monuments in the world.
