The Leaning Tower of Pisa stands straighter—2.5 cm corrected over 12 years

The 56-meter-high, 14,500-ton Leaning Tower of Pisa had been tilting at a rate of 1 mm per year since 1990. To prevent it from collapsing completely, local authorities—during the 10-year closure of the tower—reinforced the foundation, removed water accumulation beneath the tower, and installed steel cables to stabilize the structure. By the time the foundation reinforcement was completed, the tower had already been straightened by 38 cm.

 

Technical director Giuseppe Bentivoglio stated that not only has the leaning degree of the Leaning Tower of Pisa gradually slowed down, but from 2011 to 2013 to the present, it has also been straightened back by another 2.5 cm. According to a research report by scholars from the University of Stuttgart, the Leaning Tower of Pisa will continue to correct itself. “The current condition can be maintained for 200–300 years, and theoretically, the Leaning Tower of Pisa can be completely straightened!”

The Leaning Tower of Pisa attracts 6 million tourists to Pisa each year. Seeing the tower gradually stand more upright, locals are concerned about losing its original charm, which could make it less appealing. Pisa Mayor Marco Filippeschi said: “The citizens of Pisa are very pleased to see the tower being restored, but they really don’t want to see it completely straightened.”

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