|
|
 |
|
|
The History of Leaning Tower of Pisa by Vicky Smith
|
|
|
The History of Leaning Tower of Pisa |
|
|
|
|
|
Business
|
|
|
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the world's most recognizable structures. Each year, millions of visitors travel to the city of Pisa in central Italy to marvel at the Leaning Tower and take the obligatory photo of family members pretending to hold the structure upright. For many, the history of the Leaning Tower of Pisa is just as intriguing as the great sculpture itself. Construction The Tower of Pisa was constructed in three stages over a period of almost 200 years. In 1173, construction began on the foundation and ground floor of the tower. A mere 10-foot foundation set in unstable soil caused the tower to begin sinking by the time the third floor was built in 1178. After a long interruption caused by external conflict, construction resumed in 1272, with engineers building subsequent floors with one side higher than the other to compensate for the tilt. A military defeat in 1284 forced a second interruption of the project. The seventh floor of the Tower of Pisa was completed in 1319, though the bell chamber was not built until 1372. The seven bells of the Tower of Pisa, one for each note in the musical scale, were added through 1655. Who Designed It? There is a lot of speculation over the identity of the original architect of the Tower of Piza. Some have speculated that Guglielmo, a 12th century Pisan artist, along with sculptor Bonanno Pisano, were the original architects. Others suggest that Diotisalvi, another 12th century Pisan architect, is responsible for the tower's design. In any case, Tommaso di Andrea Pisano, who built the Leaning Tower's bell chamber, was responsible for harmonizing the Gothic and Romanesque styles of the tower. Structural Strengthening The Leaning Tower of Pisa underwent a period of structural strengthening from 1990 to 2001, with the angle of the tilt being decreased from 5.5 degrees to about 3.99 degrees. In 2008, Italian engineers announced that the tower had stopped moving for the first time in its history and estimated that because of the structural strengthening, the tower would be stable for the next 200 years. As of 2009, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is undergoing a gradual surface restoration to repair cracks and blackening due to the tower's age and exposure to the elements. The Leaning Tower's Place in History The Leaning Tower of Pisa has repeatedly played an important role in Italian as well as world history. Galileo Galilei is said to have used the tower to complete an experiment in gravity, according to notes written by Galileo's secretary. In World War II, the Leaning Tower was nearly destroyed by Allied soldiers who had received intelligence that the Nazis were using it as an observation post. A U.S. Army sergeant's decision not to call in an artillery strike saved the historic tower. In 1987, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, along with the Piazza del Duomo, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, ensuring that the tower will be preserved for the enjoyment of generations to come. In short, as a popular business E-platform of promoting stone industry, we have finally become the global top-ranking service provider of trade information, providing the most comprehensive, accurate, and efficient international stone business information for stone enterprises and supplier all over the world. If you want to consult us freely, you can also see cubic stone or become a loyal follower of us by @ https://twitter.com/stonebtb.
Related Articles -
sculpture, stone,
|
Rate This Article  |
|
|
|
|
|
Do you Agree or Disagree? Have a Comment? POST IT!
| Reader Opinions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Author Login |
|
|
 |
Advertiser Login
ADVERTISE HERE NOW!
Limited Time $60 Offer!
90 Days-1.5 Million Views
|
|
TIM FAY
After 60-plus years of living, I am just trying to pass down some of the information that I have lea...more
|
|
|
|
|
LAURA JEEVES
At LeadGenerators, we specialise in content-led Online Marketing Strategies for our clients in the t...more
|
|
|
|
|
ALEX BELSEY
I am the editor of QUAY Magazine, a B2B publication based in the South West of the UK. I am also the...more
|
|
|
|
|
GENE MYERS
Author of four books and two screenplays; frequent magazine contributor. I have four other books "in...more
|
|
|
|
|
SUSAN FRIESEN
Located in the lower mainland of B.C., Susan Friesen is a visionary brand strategist, entrepreneur, ...more
|
|
|
|
|
STEPHEN BYE
Steve Bye is currently a fiction writer, who published his first novel, ‘Looking Forward Through the...more
|
|
|
|
|
SHALINI MITTAL
A postgraduate in Fashion Technology. Shalini is a writer at heart! Writing for her is an expression...more
|
|
|
|
|
ADRIAN JOELE
I have been involved in nutrition and weight management for over 12 years and I like to share my kn...more
|
|
|
|
|
JAMES KENNY
James is a Research Enthusiast that focuses on the understanding of how things work and can be impro...more
|
|
|
|
