The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most famous and easily recognizable
landmarks in Italy.
Meant to be the bell tower of the Duomo of Pisa, its construction began in 1173
and, with a couple of long interruptions, took about two centuries to complete.
Its famous inclination is caused by the interaction of the edifice with the
soil upon which it is built. Throughout the centuries, various attempts have
been made to halt the slow tilting of the tower, including the use of
counterweights. The tower was closed in 1990 because of the danger posed by the
continuing tilt, but reopened in 2001.
Galileo is said to have proven that objects of different weights drop at the
same rate by dropping a cannon ball and a wooden ball from the top of the Leaning
Tower. Many scholars think that the
story is apocryphal, however.
Climbing the tower is quite an experience. As one climbs the Tower, the one
moment the steps of this Tower are leaning towards the inside and a half
revolution further they are leaning towards the outside. So one needs to adapt
your search for the right balance every half revolution one makes on the spiral
stairs. The view, however, makes the climb worth while. There is a great view
over the Campo dei Miracoli or Field of Miracles, with in front the Cathedral
or Duomo and in the back the Baptistery and at the right the Campo Santo or the
cemetery.
The Duomo
The Duomo of Pisa is the largest Romanesque cathedral in Tuscany.
It's famous for the Romanesque panels depicting the life of Christ on the
transept door facing the tower and for its expertly carved 14th-century pulpit
by Giovanni Pisano. The upper part of the pulpit consists of nine panels
illustrating stories from the New Testament. The lower part is largely composed
of allegorical figures representing the virtues and credos of the Catholic
faith. The wall of the Duomo itself is made of pink and white marble. The
inside is held up by 68 Corinthian columns. Midway down the nave hangs a
special bronze lamp. It is commonly known as Galilieo's lamp, since it is
believed that the great scientist Galileo Galilei figured out the law of the pendulum
by observing the lamp as it swung back and forth. Also note the mosaics above
the apse. The mosaics show the Christ in Majesty and Jesus Christ between the
Virgin Mary and St John the Evangelist. These mosaics were completed by Cimabue
in 1302.