The Leaning Tower of Pisa has captured headlines again. There have been reports that the Tower may fall any day.
The iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa captivates millions yearly with its architectural splendor and rich cultural and artistic heritage.
Here are the 10 fascinating facts about the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Constructed between 1173-1399, the Leaning Tower of Pisa features eight stories with 207 marble columns, built to honor medieval Catholicism.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its exceptional architectural and artistic significance.
The tower was integral to the medieval cathedral complex in Pisa, which also includes a cathedral, cemetery, and baptistery.
The tower began leaning in 1178, just three stories high, due to its unstable sandy and clay foundation.
The tower was initially designed to be straight. It began tilting during the construction of the second floor due to the marshy soil foundation.
Galileo Galilei used the tower for gravity experiments, dropping two cannonballs of different masses to study their fall .
In 1934, Benito Mussolini tried to correct the lean by drilling holes and pumping grout into the foundation, which ultimately failed and made the tower lean more.
The tower withstood four earthquakes, with its dynamic soil structure unexpectedly bolstering its earthquake resilience.
There are other leaning structures in Italy, such as the 12th-century church San Nicola and the 11th-century San Michele Degli Scalzi, both showing significant tilts .
The Leaning Tower of Pisa features seven uniquely named bells, with the oldest from the 12th century and the newest cast in 2004.