The History of The Leaning Tower of Pisa

Humans make mistakes, after all, no human is perfect. One mistake made in the 11th century resulted in a 14,500 ton leaning tower. This miscalculation would later become a symbol of civic pride, but tell that to the man who designed it!

The learning tower of Pisa, known as Torre Pendente di Pisa in Italian, is different than most medieval architecture. This particular section won't cover the highly advanced construction techniques that were used, it is important to mention how this tower's design is significant.

The Leaning Tower is the third oldest building on Pisa'sPiazza del Duomo (cathedral square), the Cathedral and Baptistry were first.

Utilizing many columns and archs, this tower represents an advanced understanding of weight and load characteristics, showing the Italian architectures' knowledge.

What the architect didn't account for however, was the base of the tower being built on a dense section of clay.

The Early Years

The construction of the Tower of Pisa began on August 9, 1173. Originally designed to be a bell tower, the tower actually stood upright for over 5 years, but just after the completion of the third floor (1178) it began to lean. The citizens of Italy were shocked as it began to lean ever so slightly.

The foundation of the tower, only 3 meter deep, was built on a dense clay mixture and impacted the soil. As it turned out, the clay was not nearly as strong enough as required to hold the tower upright, and so the weight of the tower began to diffuse downward until it had found the weakest point.

After this, construction halted for 100 years. The government hoped that the soil would settle, giving it enough strength to hold the weight of the tower. As well, the country was focused on its war with Genoa, which was quite brutal and ravaging at the time.

Construction Resumes

The Tower at Night

After the 100 year hiatus, Giovanni di Simone stepped forward in 1272 and began to add four more floors to the tower. He actually managed to cause the tower to lean over more when he tried to compensate for the original lean by making one side of the upper floors taller than the other.

In 1284 construction was halted again, this time because of the Battle of Meloria, in which the Pisans were defeated by the Genoans.

In 1319 the 7th floor was finished. The bell-chamber was added in 1372, and then the tower was left alone until the 19th century.

In 1838 Alessandro Della Gherardesca, an established architect, dug a pathway near the base of the tower so that people could see the intricately crafted base. The tower began to lean even more as a result, likely due to the decreased amount of support available within the soil.

World War Two

This war was brutal and bloody for the entire world, and its effects were felt everywhere from America to rural Africa. In relation to the leaning tower of Pisa, however, it is pure luck.

When the American soldiers invaded, they were ordered to destroy any and all buildings in order to neutralize the thread of enemy snipers. There were no exceptions to this rule, and hundreds of buildings were blown up as the forces steadily advanced over the Italian countryside. The only thing which prevented the leaning tower of Pisa from being destroyed was a retreat that took place shortly after the arrival of the Americans, necessitating no need to destroy the national monument.

Steadier than Ever

The leaden counterweight

In 1964, Italy asked help to prevent the Leaning Tower from toppling. They wanted to keep the lean though, because of its importance for Pisa's tourism. A team of engineers and historians came together on the Azores to discuss the problem. As a temporary measure, a leaden counterweight (800 tonnes) was installed.

In 1987, the Leaning Tower of Pisa was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site, along with the entire Piazza Del Duomo.

In 1990, the Leaning Tower was closed. The bells were removed and the tower was anchored.

Reopened in 2001 for tourists, the leaning tower of Pisa is finally sturdy and safe. Naturally, climbing to the top of the tower has become the most popular tourist activity within reason, and for good reason: with a history as deep and as wrought with unfortunate circumstance as this one, it's hard not to get excited about.

Construction of the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Begun in 1173, the process by which the leaning tower of Pisa had transformed into the monument as we know it today was long and drawn out. In fact, it took over 800 years from start to finish.

Intricate carvings, columns, arch's, and other design elements are incorporated into the construction of the tower. For medieval Europe, these types of design themes and construction processes were way ahead of their time, resulting in a structure that has remained timeless in appearance through the ages.

The tower was built with limestone and lime mortar, though the exterior of the tower is covered in marble. Ironically, the limestone is probably why the tower has not cracked and broken- the rock is flexible enough that it can withstand the pressures placed on it by the lean. It is doubtful that the original architect, Bonanno Pisano, had any idea that the qualities of limestone would play a role in preventing its ultimate collapse.

Originally, the leaning tower of Pisa was to be a bell tower for a cathedral. Five years after the initial construction of two floors it began to lean once the third floor was completed. At the time the cause of the lean was not known, though it was discovered many years later that the lean was the result of the tower being built on a dense clay mixture that was unable to fully support the weight of the tower.

As you can imagine, the construction process was halted for nearly 100 years. The architects of the time hoped that the soul would settle and harden over time, allowing them to resume construction and correct the lean.

Giovanni di Simone, Alessandro Della Gherardesca, and Benito Mussolini

100 long years passed before Giovanni di Simone constructed four additional floors. He had also intended to counteract the lean during the construction process but, like the original architects, made a critical miscalculation. The result was the four floors being built crooked, causing the tower to shift even more.

In 1372 the bell chamber was finally attached to the leaning tower of Pisa, and there were no further modifications or additions made until the 19 th century.

Alessandro Della Gherardesca decided to increase the value of the tower to the tourism industry by digging a pathway around the base of the tower that would allow tourists to see the detail that was put into the base. This took place in 1838, and resulted in the tower leaning even more when Gherardesca's workers struck water, flooding the ditches and increasing the tilt.

Benito Mussolini was the next to try his hand stabilizing the tower in 1934. He felt that the tower was an embarrassment to Italy and that it must be corrected and returned to a perpendicular state. As a result of his orders, 361 holes were drilled into the foundation of the tower and 90 tonnes of cement were used to fill them. The cement, rather than form up in the holes and act as a counterweight, sank into the clay beneath the structure, causing the tower to lean over even more.

End of Construction

The Leaning Tower of Pisa was closed for construction in 1990 and was then reopened once it was safe for everyone to tour. From start to finish, the leaning tower of Pisa took over 800 years to be constructed- probably the longest construction time in the world!

Facts About the Leaning Tower of Pisa

• The leaning tower of Pisa weighs 14,500 tonnes - Although it took quite a long time for construction to be completed, the official estimated weight of the tower is just shy of 14,500 tonnes. No wonder the clay foundation couldn't handle the weight!
• The tower took over 800 years to completely finish - With the final modifications to the tower made in the early 21 st century, the entire process took over 800 years. During this time it witness two great wars, civil war, change in religious governments, and a change in use. It was "completed" in 1350 (over 200 years after its initial construction), but has undergone constant additions and modifications since that date.
• The leaning tower of Pisa is only 55.86 meters tall - With its low height, it's the smallest "tower" achieve worldwide recognition.
• Europe 's most famous monument was the result of a slight miscalculation - Although many factors have contributed to the lean, the decision of where to build the tower resulted in the original tilt of the tower.
• It is a symbol of national pride - What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word Pisa ?
• It is located in the Piazza Dei Miracoli - The "field of miracles" is where the tower is located, along with a few other famous structures, such as the Duomo, the Camposanto, and the Baptistery.
• It was upright for five years upon completion of its initial construction - Having only two floors, no one was aware of any problem with the tower. Upon the addition of the third floor the tower began to lean, and the result was thousands of confused people and hundreds of years of quick-fixes.
• Construction was halted for 100 years - Once the tower began to lean the construction was halted for 100 years. During this time, engineers hopes that the clay beneath the tower would settle and harden enough to permit further construction.
• A new architect resume construction - Giovanni di Simone continued where the tower had left off, adding four additional floors to the tower. Fortunately, and despite his efforts, he was unable to correct the lean.
• A bad idea made the lean worse - Alessandro Della Gherardesca tried to show the world the intricately decorated base of the tower by digging a walkway around the base. You can imagine the resulting disaster when his workers struck water, flooding the ditches.
• Mussolini tried to fix the tower - Embarrassed of the tower, and calling it a disgrace to national pride, he attempted to fix the tower by way of a cement counterweight drilled into the base of the tower. It didn't work.
• The tower has 294 steps - How fast can you make it up?
• The tower was almost torn down - American soldiers, under the orders to destroy all buildings that may act as a potential nest for enemy snipers, nearly destroyed the famous tower during World War Two.

Some Facts about New York

Some Facts about New York 

1. The first American chess tournament was held in New York in 1843.
2. The 641 mile transportation network known as the Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway is the longest toll road in the United States.
3. A brewer named Matthew Vassar founded Vassar College in Poughkeepsie in 1861.
4. In 1979 Vassar students were the first from a private college to be granted permission to study in the People's Republic of China.
5. The Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan is the only school in the world offering a Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing.
6. Union College in Schenectady is regarded as the Mother of Fraternities because Delta Phi is the oldest continually operating fraternity and Kappa Alpha and Sigma Phi Societies were started on the campus.
7. The Woodstock Music and Arts Fair was actually held in Bethel.
8. Dairying is New York's most important farming activity with over 18,000 cattle and or calves farms.
9. In 1807 The Clermont made its maiden voyage from New York City to Albany making the vessel the first successful steamboat.
10. Sam Schapiro began the Kosher wine industry on New York's Lower East side with their famous extra heavy original concord wine in 1899.
11. New York City has 722 miles of subway track.
12. Power Mill Park situated outside Rochester has a house on Park Road shaped like a group of mushrooms.
13. Chittenago is the home of L. Frank Baum, author of the "Wizard of Oz". It features a yellow brick inlaid sidewalks leading to Aunti Em's and other Oz-themed businesses. Chittenago is the location of an annual Munchkins parade.
14. Oneida has the world's smallest church with the dimensions of 3.5' X 6'.
15. The first daily Yiddish newspaper appeared in 1885 in New York City.
16. The first international sports hero, boxer Bill Richmond of Staten Island, was born August 5, 1763.
17. The "New York Post" established in 1803 by Alexander Hamilton is the oldest running newspaper in the United States.
18. John Babcock invented both the indoor rowing machine and the sliding seat during the winter of 1869/1870.
19. The first railroad in America ran a distance of 11 miles between Albany and Schenectady.
20. The first capital of the United States was New York City. In 1789 George Washington took his oath as president on the balcony at Federal Hall.
21. Hartsdale has a pet cemetery established in 1896 and containing 12,000 plots.
22. In November for Boy Scouts and in March for Girl Scouts the annual Urban Camp-Outs are hosted at the Empire State Building.
23. The Catskills are the home of the legend of Rip Van Winkle, brown trout and flycasting.
24. The first presentation of 3D films before a paying audience took place at Manhattan's Astor Theater on June 10, 1915.
25. Sam Wilson, a meatpacker from Troy who's caricature Uncle Sam came to personify the United States is buried at Troy's Oakwood Cemetery. During the War of 1812, he stamped "U.S. Beef" on his products which soldiers interpreted the U.S. abbreviation as meaning Uncle Sam.
26. The Genesee River is one of the few rivers in the world that flows south to north.
27. Rochester is known as both the Flour City and the Flower City. The community is home to the first abolitionist group, bloomers, marshmallows, Jell-O, French's Mustard, baby shoes, gold teeth and the mail chute.
28. Gennaro Lombardi opened the first United States pizzeria in 1895 in New York City.
29. On July 28, 1945 an Army Air Corps B-25 crashed into the Empire State Building at the 79th floor level.
30. New York's largest lake in Oneida measures 79.8 square miles.
31. New York's highest waterfall is the 215 foot Taughannock.
32. The Erie Canal, built across New York State in the 1820s, opened the Midwest to development and helped New York City become a worldwide trading center.
33. The first Boy's Club was established in New York City in 1876.
34. European settlers who brought seeds to New York introduced apples in the 1600s.
35. The Big Apple is a term coined by musicians meaning to play the big time.
36. The first Eagle Scout was Arthur R. Eldred from Troop 1 in Oceanside. He was bestowed the honor in May 1912.
37. Ten Mile River Boy Scout Camp in Narrowsburg is the largest council owned camp in the country.
38. Joseph C. Gayetty of New York City invented toilet paper in 1857.
39. Wade Boggs and Cal Ripken Jr. played against each other in Rochester vs. Pawtucket Red Sox in the longest game in baseball history. The game went a total of 33 innings.
40. The oldest cattle ranch in the US was started in 1747 at Montauk on Long Island.
41. Adirondack Park is larger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Glacier, and Olympic Parks combined.
42. New York was the first state to require license plates on cars.
43. Niagara Reservation became the first state park in the United States.
44. Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site in Newburgh was the first publicly owned historic site.
45. New York State is home to 58 species of wild orchids.
46. New York has over 70,000 miles of rivers and streams.
47. The first public brewery in America was established by Peter Minuit at the Market (Marckvelt) field in lower Manhattan.
48. Mount Kisco's landmark, a statue of Chief Kisco, was once an elaborate fountain for watering horses. The statue stands at the intersection of Routes 117 and 133. D.F. Gorham, a strong supporter of prohibition, presented it to Mount Kisco in 1907. The inscription on the base to the statue reads "God's Only Beverage for Man and Beast."
49. The name Canandaigua (pronounced Can-an-DAY-gwa) is derived from a Native American word meaning the chosen spot.
50. Horseheads is the first and only village in the United States dedicated to the service of the American military horse.

25 Facts about New York city

25 Facts about New York city 

alt"Amazing Scenes"

Millions of visitors come to NYC for the culture, numerous attractions, world class cuisine, exciting nightlife and to make their mark on the city that never sleeps. The Big Apple is the most populated city in the US and a major influence around the world in commerce, finance, media, culture, art, fashion and entertainment. Here are 25 fun facts about New York City’s history and trend setting.

1. New York City has 4,000 street food vendors.
2. The average temperature of New York City’s pavement on a hot summer day is 150 degrees.
3. 100 million Chinese food cartons are used annually in New York City.
4. Gennaro Lombardi opened the first US pizzeria in NYC in 1895.
5. Manhattan’s Chinatown is the largest Chinese enclave in the Western Hemisphere.
6. New York City was was briefly the US capital from 1789 to 1790 and was the site of the inauguration of George Washington as President on April 30, 1789.
7. The state fruit is the apple.
8. New Yorkers travel an average of 40 minutes to work each day.
9. More than 47 percent of New York City’s residents over the age of 5 speak a language other than English at home.
10. The Federal Reserve Bank on New York’s Wall Street contains vaults that are located 80 feet beneath the bank and hold about 25 percent of the world’s gold bullion.
11. More than 250 feature films are shot on location in New York City each year.
12. An average of 4.9 million people ride the New York City subway each weekday.
13. The New York subway system is the largest mass transit system in the world with 468 stations and 842 miles (1355 km) of track.
14. Unlike most major subways systems around the world, the New York Subway runs 24 hours a day.
15. The musicians who perform in the NYC Subway system go through a competitive audition process. Some of the subway musicians have also played at Carnegie Hall.
16. Manhattan doesn’t have a Main Street. Each of the other boroughs and Roosevelt Island have Main Streets.
17. There are 6,374.6 miles of streets in New York City.
18. The Brooklyn Children’s Museum was the world’s first museum for kids.
19. The Cloisters, a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is the only museum in America dedicated exclusively to medieval art.
20. 200 ticker-tape parades have taken place in Lower-Broadway’s ‘Canyon of Heroes. The first ticker-tape parade celebrated the dedication of the Statue of Liberty in 1886.
21. The Brooklyn Bridge was the first bridge to be lit using electricity.
22. Hong Kong is the only city in the world with more completed skyscrapers than New York City.
23. 36% of the current population of New York City was born outside the United States.
24. Since 2005, New York City has the lowest crime rate of the 25 largest US cities.
25. Brooklyn was an independent city rivaling NY until 1898.