Overview
The Leaning Tower, the symbol of Pisa
One of the best-known symbols of Tuscany and the whole of Italy. The Tower of Pisa is located in Piazza dei Miracoli, named after poet Gabriele D’Annunzio but dating back to the heyday of the Maritime Republic.
At 57 metres high, the Leaning Tower of Pisa stands tall behind Pisa Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, of which it is the bell tower. Construction began in 1173 but was not completed until 1300 due to land subsidence, which caused its famous lean. The top three floors were built to curve in the opposite direction to the slope to try straightening it.
The structure has two concentric cylinders connected by an interior spiral staircase. Along the outer cylinder are floors with arcades and columns. There are seven bells, corresponding to musical notes. The bell of San Ranieri, which corresponds to the note Re, was named Giustizia (Justice), because it rang when a traitor was sentenced to death.
You can climb the 294 steps to the top of the tower for spectacular views of the square and surrounding landscape. It is said that Galileo Galilei threw two weights from the top to prove his “falling bodies” theory.
