The Hanging Tower of Pisa

The hanging tower of Pisa is a belfry placed next to the Cathedral, at the famous Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles).

The building of the belfry started on 1173 thanks to the architect Bonanno, it was continued by Giovanni di Simone and it was finished by Giovanni Pisano who also added the bell cell.

During the building, the tower inclined because of subsiding of the ground and Giovanni di Simone's attempts to correct the slope were frustrated.

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The tower has a cylindric shape and consists of two concentric walls. It has a circular plan, and it presents arcade on the basis and six orders of superior cavities where the bell cell leans against.

The tower, entirely covered with marble, is known everywhere, for its characteristic slope about 5° and 30' even a drop of 2,95 meters between the first and the seventh frame.

Today, thanks to operations for settlement, lasted eleven years, the slope was reduced to 5°.

Beside the front door, there are two images portraying monsters and animals, and a bas-relif portraying some ships and one headlight.

Inside, the belfry has the shape of a telescope, from its basis was possible to see the stars even in broad day, before the first floor was closed.

The spiral staircase, inside the tower, made up of 294 steps, allows the access to 6 arcade floors, to the bell cell, where there are 7 bells, and to the terrace.