Leaning Tower of Pisa
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 26 February 2022
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Situated on the beautifully-named Piazza dei Miracoli and one of the most recognisable landmarks in the world, the Leaning Tower of Pisa requires little introduction.
Construction began on the "Torre Pendente" (in Italian) in 1173 and it wasn't long until the tower was found to be leaning. In fact at that stage, the tower was leaning in a different direction. |
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It was only after the over-effective corrective measures were taken to straighten it, that the tower started to lean southwards as it still does today. Throughout the centuries, architects and engineers have studied the issues surrounding the tower's lean and when in 1990 it was discovered that the angle of the lean was becoming dangerous, the tower was closed. Eleven years of work followed to make sure the tower was safe and had a future, eventually re-opening in 2001.
With its location in the beautiful Piazza dei Miracoli (Miracle Square), the tower is just one of several landmark buildings including Pisa's Cathedral and its Baptistery. The square is also home to the Camposanto Monumentale and the Museo delle Sinopie meaning you can spend a whole day exploring just the sights of the square if you wish to. Many people just opt to climb the tower itself with its 251 steps reaching a height of 60 metres, reduced to just under 56 metres on its lowest side. With some wonderful views of the city from the bell-tower at the top your efforts are well-rewarded if you make the climb but the narrow staircase and 5 degree lean can cause issues for vertigo and claustrophobia sufferers.
The large majority of visitors to the Piazza content themselves with taking photos, selfies and the typical pose where you look like you're the one supporting the tower, if taken at the correct angle. One curiosity to keep an eye out for is the Bell Chamber, the top floor of the tower. When it was added to complete the tower in the second half of the 14th century, it was built at a contrary angle to the structure below, making it straighter at the top and giving it an odd-looking, bent appearance at the top, perhaps just as odd as the very fact that it leans at all.
Opening times for the tower depend on the month or even the date of your visit with a fairly complicated timetable which you can find further down this page. The standard price for visiting the tower is €18 per person but you'll also find lots of websites offering pre-booking/skip the line tickets where you book your time-slot in advance. You're then given a 30 minute time slot on your chosen date (if available). There are a number of websites offering the booking services but with varying booking fees ranging from €1 up to €14 so shop around and make sure you get the best value for money possible.
With its location in the beautiful Piazza dei Miracoli (Miracle Square), the tower is just one of several landmark buildings including Pisa's Cathedral and its Baptistery. The square is also home to the Camposanto Monumentale and the Museo delle Sinopie meaning you can spend a whole day exploring just the sights of the square if you wish to. Many people just opt to climb the tower itself with its 251 steps reaching a height of 60 metres, reduced to just under 56 metres on its lowest side. With some wonderful views of the city from the bell-tower at the top your efforts are well-rewarded if you make the climb but the narrow staircase and 5 degree lean can cause issues for vertigo and claustrophobia sufferers.
The large majority of visitors to the Piazza content themselves with taking photos, selfies and the typical pose where you look like you're the one supporting the tower, if taken at the correct angle. One curiosity to keep an eye out for is the Bell Chamber, the top floor of the tower. When it was added to complete the tower in the second half of the 14th century, it was built at a contrary angle to the structure below, making it straighter at the top and giving it an odd-looking, bent appearance at the top, perhaps just as odd as the very fact that it leans at all.
Opening times for the tower depend on the month or even the date of your visit with a fairly complicated timetable which you can find further down this page. The standard price for visiting the tower is €18 per person but you'll also find lots of websites offering pre-booking/skip the line tickets where you book your time-slot in advance. You're then given a 30 minute time slot on your chosen date (if available). There are a number of websites offering the booking services but with varying booking fees ranging from €1 up to €14 so shop around and make sure you get the best value for money possible.
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Opening-times: April to September 09:00 - 20:00 except June 17th to August 31st 08:30 - 22:00. October 09:00 - 19:00. March 09:00 - 18:00 except 23rd - 29th 09:00 - 19:00, 30th 08:30 - 20:00. November & February 09:45 - 17:15 except Nov 1st 09:00 - 18:00. December & January 10:00 - 17:00 except Dec 5th - 8th 09:00 - 18:30 and December 21st to January 6th 10:00 - 19:00.
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Prices: €18 per person (minimum age 8 years old), 8 to 17 year olds must be accompanied by an adult.
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Recommended accommodation: Hotel di Stefano
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UNESCO World Heritage Site
Piazza del Duomo, Pisa
Year: 1987
Piazza del Duomo, Pisa
Year: 1987
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