What world travel is complete without a classically touristy picture holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa!
What world travel is complete without a classically touristy picture holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa! It is one of Italy’s most famous landmarks that you should strongly consider checking out since it is a testament to the architectural and engineering achievements of medieval times. Read on to learn more about the Leaning Tower of Pisa, its history, and how to visit it!
Why is the Leaning Tower of Pisa Actually Leaning?
Before you visit Pisa either solo or with a tour group, it is worth knowing a bit of its history. Construction for the Leaning Tower of Pisa all began in 1173 and went on for almost 200 years before it was done in 1372. Contrary to popular belief, the tower didn’t start leaning due to an earthquake. Instead, the tower started tilting during construction due to the soft ground on one side of the site that couldn’t support the weight of the tower’s foundation. Once builders started building the second story, the tower started to sink and tilt. As the centuries passed, attempts were made to correct the lean. Builders tried compensating by making the columns on the lower side of the tower a lot taller, but this only made the issue worse. In later centuries, engineers replaced most of the lower columns with stronger materials to help withstand the weight of the tower. However, the lean stayed. Back in 2001, a crew of engineers worked to reduce the tilt by removing any soil from underneath the foundation on the highest side of the lean. This effort was truly successful in reducing the tilt by a minor amount, but the tower is now considered stable.
How to Get to the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Many don’t know this, but the Leaning Tower of Pisa isn’t near the Pisa-Centrale train station. If you’re visiting from another city, like Florence, it’s an easy day trip, though. Our “Ciao Italy” tour at AESU will stop in Pisa during this nine-day adventure, so call us today if you want to learn more!
Explore the World with AESU!
Are you ready to plan the adventure of a lifetime? AESU offers unique, thrilling travel programs for college students and young professionals at affordable rates. Each trip is action-packed and informal—designed just for people your own age. We are also able to design custom tours just for your group.
Experience an exhilarating adventure! A few 2024 dates are still available at www.aesu.com. Check out our most popular trips: the Euro Focus and Great Escape tours! If you have any questions or want help booking your next adventure, please contact AESU by calling 800-638-7640, or fill out the contact form found on our website. Follow AESU on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.