Italy’s most famous building, the "Leaning Tower of Pisa," stands out globally with its tilted yet upright posture, becoming a must-visit landmark in Italy. However, as a 12-year restoration project shows results, the Leaning Tower of Pisa has been "straightened" by 2.5 cm since 2001, but the project has also cost £25 million, equivalent to NT$1.18 billion.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy has been straightened by 2.5 cm from 2001 to the present after multiple engineering restorations. (Image source / from www.theepochtimes.com)
The 56-meter-high, 14,500-ton Leaning Tower of Pisa has been continuously tilting at a rate of 1 mm per year since 1990. To prevent it from completely collapsing, the local government reinforced the tower's foundation during the 10 years it was closed, and through various projects such as removing water accumulation beneath the tower and installing steel cables to stabilize the structure, the tower had already been straightened by 38 cm when the foundation reinforcement work was completed.
Technical director Giuseppe Bentivoglio stated that not only is the degree of the Leaning Tower of Pisa’s tilt gradually slowing, but from 2011 to 2013 to the present, it has also been corrected 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 straighten. "The current condition can be maintained for 200–300 years, and theoretically, the Leaning Tower of Pisa can be completely straightened!"
Perhaps in the future, people taking photos while holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa will become a thing of the past. (Image provided / Moleskine Editorial Department)
The Leaning Tower of Pisa attracts 6 million tourists to Pisa every year. Seeing the tower gradually standing more upright, locals are concerned about losing its original charm, which may make it less attractive. 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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