An immortal classic of Italy, the Leaning Tower of Pisa

By Li Xinyi, compiled and reported | Source: MOOK Editorial Department

Great architecture is often the product of prosperous times. Although Pisa is a city in the Tuscany region, it was an important port during the Roman Empire and a free city-state in the Middle Ages, gradually developing into a maritime power on the western coast of the Mediterranean. From then until the 13th century, it can be said to have been the heyday of the Republic of Pisa. Political and economic stability, coupled with the introduction of mathematics and science from the Islamic world, allowed artists to break through the limitations of the time by applying geometric principles. This enabled them to construct tall and large cathedrals, extensively using architectural elements of the Romanesque style such as round arches, long columns, and cloisters, forming a unique “Pisan style.” The most prominent examples are the buildings in the Piazza dei Miracoli.

The complex of buildings in the Piazza dei Miracoli includes the cathedral, baptistery, leaning tower, and cemetery. The bell tower located next to the church is the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Due to its continuous tilt—reaching over one millimeter per year at its worst—it was closed to tourists in 1990 for major restoration work. During this period, iron braces were installed on the tower to prevent further tilting, addressing the root causes underground.

The exterior of the bell tower features seven layers of arched galleries surrounding a cylindrical structure. Except for the enclosed false arcade on the ground floor, the rest are three-dimensional forms similar to the main façade of the cathedral. The Leaning Tower of Pisa was built in 1173, but the identity of its architect remains unknown. Research suggests it may have been designed by Rainaldo, Guglielmo, and Bonanno. By 1274, when construction reached the third level, the tower had already begun to lean, but work continued until completion in the mid-14th century. The belfry, added at the very top, brought the tower’s total height to 54.5 meters. Today, the tower no longer leans and has become one of Italy’s most iconic structures.