Senior Sailor Says:
When I told a friend that I was going to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, she laughed and said: “Once you see it, what else is there to do there?”
I wasn’t discouraged. I wanted to see and learn about the freestanding bell tower, part of the Pisa Cathedral complex.
I was on the Viking Ocean Cruises’ “Iconic Western Mediterranean” included tour. I boarded the bus at the dock and traveled from the ship across parts of Tuscany to the beautiful city of Pisa.
After a short walk, there it was in all its glory. Although hundreds of people were scurrying around, it was easy to get photos of the tower.
The tower, known for its nearly four-degree lean, is the result of an unstable foundation.
The tower is one of three structures in Pisa’s Cathedral Square (Piazza del Duomo), which includes the cathedral and the Pisa Baptistry.
Over time, the flawed tower has become one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world and an architectural icon of Italy, attracting over 5 million visitors each year. The complex tower was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
It stands at 183 feet 3 inches on the low side and 185 ft 11 in on the high side. The base width of the walls is 8 ft. The tower has 296 or 294 steps; the seventh floor has two fewer steps on the north-facing staircase.
The tower began to lean during construction in the 12th century, due to soft ground which could not properly support the structure’s weight. It worsened during construction in the 14th century. By 1990, the tilt had reached 5.5 degrees. The tower was stabilized through remedial work between 1993 and 2001, reducing the tilt to 3.97 degrees.
Like all Vikings’ included excursions, it was a look into the culture and iconic locations of the country passengers are visiting.
For more information about this itinerary, click here. For information on Viking River, Ocean, and Expedition cruises, click here.
