The cathedral's freestanding campanile whose foundations sank into soft clay almost as soon as construction began, creating the lean that made it world famous.
Work on the campanile started in August 1173, and by about 1178 the builders had reached the third floor when the tower began to tilt because of the soft alluvial soil beneath one side. Building stopped for about a century as Pisa fought wars with Genoa and Florence, a pause that allowed the ground to consolidate and probably saved the tower from collapse. Giovanni di Simone resumed work in 1272 and compensated by building the upper floors with one side taller than the other, giving the tower its slight curve. The bell chamber, added by Tommaso Pisano, was completed in 1372. In the 20th century the lean worsened, and in 1990 the tower was closed. Engineers removed soil from beneath the north side and added counterweights, reducing the tilt by about 45 centimetres, and the tower reopened in 2001 with a lean of about 4 degrees. Engineers announced in 2008 that it had stabilised for at least two centuries. Legend ties the tower to Galileo, but there is no firm evidence he conducted falling-body experiments here.
| Admission | EUR 20 (~$23) timed ticket at opapisa.it; no reduction; children under 8 not admitted; bags not allowed (free cloakroom) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily from 9:00AM; closing varies by season (about 8:00PM, extended to 10:30PM from 17 June to 31 August 2026) |
| Address | Piazza del Duomo, 56126 Pisa PI, Italy |
Why it matters
One of the world's most recognised buildings, and a landmark case of geotechnical engineering.
Site facts
- Built
- 1173-1372
- Architect
- Attributed to Bonanno Pisano (original design); Giovanni di Simone and Tommaso Pisano (later stages)
- Style
- Pisan Romanesque
- UNESCO listing
- True
Location
Piazza del Duomo, 56126 Pisa PI, Italy
43.7230, 10.3966 View on map
Highlights
- Lean of about 4 degrees after stabilisation
- Eight-level Romanesque structure of marble arcades
- Bell chamber added in 1372
- Climb of roughly 250 steps
Tips for visiting
- Book a timed slot at opapisa.it and arrive 15 minutes early
- Leave bags in the free cloakroom; children must be 8 or older to climb
Accessibility
No lift and a narrow spiral stair, so it is unsuitable for wheelchair users.
Frequently asked questions
When was the Leaning Tower built?
Construction ran from 1173 to 1372, in three phases interrupted by wars.
Is the tower still moving?
No. Stabilisation work completed between 1990 and 2001 stopped the movement, and engineers reported in 2008 that it was secure for at least 200 years.