Leaning Tower of Pisa Fun Facts
Leaning Tower of Pisa Fun Facts
The Scholastic Summer Challenge continues. Have you logged your minutes for this week yet? You could have a chance to win prizes!
This week's reading milestone is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Did you know these true facts about this tilty tower in the city of Pisa, Italy?
- The tower was completed in about 1350. During construction, the ground under the building settled unevenly and caused the building to lean toward the south. Oops!
- There are other towers in Pisa with the same tilting problem, but not as noticeable.
- Throughout its history, the tilt of the tower has gradually gotten worse, about 0.25 inch (0.1 cm) every year.
- It was closed to the public in January 1990, because the structure was dangerously close to collapse.
- For much of the 1990s the tower was wrapped in steel and anchored by steel suspenders holding it in place. Soil was carefully removed under the tower to even the land underneath.
- In June 2001, engineers announced that the Leaning Tower was "secure," and although the lean is still apparent, it is 17 inches (44 cm) less than it has been for 150 years.
Do you trust that the tower is now secure? Would you dare to climb up to the top? Let us know in the Comments!
"Leaning Tower of Pisa." Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. Grolier Online, 2013. Web. 1 May. 2013.