TOWER OF PISA

Pisa, Italy

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the campanile, or freestanding bell tower, of the cathedral of the Italian city of Pisa. It is situated behind the cathedral and is the third oldest structure in Pisa's Cathedral Square. Although intended to stand vertically, the tower began leaning to the southeast soon after the onset of construction in 1173, due to a poorly laid foundation and loose um that allowed the foundation to shift. The tower leaned at an angle of 5.5 degrees, but after restoration work between 1990 and 2001, the tower now leans at an angle of 3.99 degrees. This means that the top of the tower is 12’-10” from where it would stand if the tower were perfectly vertical. On the day of the visit it was raining in Pisa, so I found a restaurant with sidewalk awnings, and sketched from there. The restaurant was on the southeast side of the tower, so in my sketch, there was no tilt. But I tilted the drawing to create the illusion of the lean. Fooled you – right?