The Secrets Of Leaning Tower Of Pisa

Life

oi-Suparna Chakaraborthy

By Suparna Chakaraborthy

Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 14:06

The Leaning Tower Of Pisa, was built as a symbol of Pisa's prosperity. This tower was initially started with the aim of building a bell tower. Pisa was famous for it's saliora and warriors who had conquered many lands. Thus, this bell tower was ordered to be built, which would portray all the achievements and it was also an attempt to make their assure their enemies about how well they were doing.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa, took several years to complete because during this time Pisa got into war several times with Florance. The building was started in 1173 and the was completed in 1319. During this course of time, Pisa had fallen from the pedestal of success. They had lost a Sea battle to Florance and were enslaved by them. One one hand, Pisa army were losing every battle and on the other hand, as if sensing the downfall, the tower of Pisa also started leaning.

The credit of building the tower cannot to crowned to one single person, it has been built by different men in different stages. History gives the credit to Nicola Picano and resent research adds another name called, Diotisalvi.

Looking at how the tower started leaning, archeologist unearned some interesting facts. The tower was started with the base of only three meters, on a bedding of dry stones. After a long gap when the construction was started again, due to inferior base, the tower sank 30 to 40 cm, creating the first lean. With the weight of the materials and other techniques of architecture, the lean was stopped but not corrected.

While building few of the last floors, by carrying the height of the tower to 48 meters, using heavy materials on the opposite end the tilt was a bit corrected, but still could not be made straight.

At present, the tower is tilted to 90cm. Well, a all is well that ends well. The tower is not tilted, may have not been so famous. Now, it is a tourist attraction and a great source of revenue.