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It’s all about the Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa has always been on my bucket list. Why? Just because it’s the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Pisa is a city in Tuscany in Italy and mostly famous for this Leaning Tower. But is has a lot more to offer. The city center is very charming and hosts a lot of architectural and artistic marvels.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa
When approaching the Piazza dei Miracoli, the first thing everyone is looking for, is obviously the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It is a kind of surreal feeling when you can finally spot it.
Basically the Leaning Tower of Pisa is the campanile or bell tower of the Cathedral Santa Maria Assunta. When the constructions begun in 1173, everything was fine, but suddenly the ground didn’t support the structure’s weight because the foundation on the ground was too soft. And so one side of the tower sinked after the second floor was built. After a while, the construction continued. Engineers built more floors where one side is taller than the other. This explains the curving form of the tower. The 7th floor was built in 1319 and finally in 1372, the bell chamber was added.
In 1990, after more than 2 decades of stabilization studies, the tower was closed to the public to stabilize it. In 2001, the tower was declared as stable and in May 2008, after removing 70 metric tons of ground, the tower had stopped moving for the first time.
The day that we visited Pisa was a strike and so we arrived late in Pisa and our tickets weren’t valid anymore. After explaining to the women in the wardrobe that we were late because of the strike, she changed our entrance time and so we could get up on the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
As there is no elevator in the tower, you have to take the stairs. While climbing the tower, you feel that it is curved, because you tend to fall on the side. This is a really strange feeling.
There are two levels where you can go outside and enjoy the view. The really upper top of the tower is closed for public, because it’s probably too dangerous. But you have an amazing view over Pisa and the Tuscany from the upper floor. The only thing which is annoying is that you only have a short time limit to stay up on the tower.
I strongly recommend you to spend those 18 € (price in 2015) to get up on the tower, because you won’t have everyday the possibility to climb up a leaning tower.
Cathedral Santa Maria Assunta
The heart of the Piazza del Duomo is the Cathedral Santa Maria Assunta. This construction begun in 1064 and set the model for the Pisan Romanesque style of architecture.
The outside of the cathedral is made of grey marble and white stone set with colored marble. It has a massive bronze main door because their original door had been destroyed by a fire in 1595.
It is believed that Galileo developed its theory of the movement of a pendulum by watching the swinging of the incense lamp hanging from the ceiling of the nave (not the current one).
The cathedral is really stunning and absolutely worth it to visit. The entrance is free, but you have to get a ticket at the ticket office to enter.
Botanic Garden
Beside the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Piazza del Duomo, you can visit the Botanic Garden in Pisa. It’s 3 € for students, so almost nothing in comparison with the Leaning Tower.
While entering the garden, everything seemed fine. There were beautiful trees and plants. But as soon as you get more into the garden and especially to a pond, everything was full of mosquitos. They are simply everywhere and they are not small. Be sure to put some mosquito protection on your skin before entering the Botanic Garden.
Whenever you have the chance to visit Pisa with its Leaning Tower, take the chance and give it a try.
Read next: Alta – the city of Northern Lights
Pisa Travel Facts
When starting to understand a new city like Pisa it is often a good idea to have some inside knowledge. There are some here that could help you.
Continent: Europe
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
International Dialing Code: 39
Pisa Coordinates: 43.7167° N, 10.4000° E
Altitude: 4 m (13 ft)
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Language: Italian
Pisa Time Zone: UTC/GMT +1 hour
City Population: 90,000
Metro Population: 90,000
Temperature High In 84.9 °F / 29.4 °C
Temperature Low In 2.2°C /36°F