LIFE Photo Collection
Clue 1
This tower is a classic example of medieval architecture designed in the Romanesque style. Construction began in 1173 and was completed at the end of the 14th century, around 1399. Galileo was baptized in the baptistery in 1565.
Clue 2
The architects and engineers who designed the tower are thought to have included Bonanno Pisano, Gherardo di Gherardo, Giovanni Pisano and Giovanni di Simone, amongst others. The first phase of construction is attributed to Bonanno Pisano and Gherardo di Gherardo with Giovanni Pisano and Giovanni di Simone taking charge of the the second phase of the building. Tommaso Pisano finished the project.
Italy, Tuscany, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Cathedral Santa Maria Assunta (2007-09-17) by Alexander HassensteinGetty Images
Clue 3
The name of the city where the tower is located comes from the Greek word for “marshy land”. So, perhaps it is not surprising that there are several other buildings in the town that also lean. These include the bell tower at the church of St. Michele dei Scalzi and the bell tower at the church of St. Nicola.
Pisa; Royal Palace, San Possare (1945-05) by Margaret Bourke-WhiteLIFE Photo Collection
Clue 4
The width of walls at the base is 2.4 meters and the weight of tower is approximately 14,500 tons. The height is measured at 55.86 meters (183.27 feet) from the ground on the low side and 56.67 meters (185.93 feet) on the high side. If that sounds strange, consider it a big clue as to its identity. There are 251 steps from the bottom to the top of the tower.
Clue 5
Benito Mussolini was ashamed of the tower, considering its construction and subsequent lean a national disgrace and embarrassment. So, he set out to fix it but the project didn’t go well. The plan was to drill holes in the base of the tower and pump mortar in to add ballast and set it straight. However, all this achieved was to add more weight to the base and make the tower lean even more than ever.
By Margaret Bourke-WhiteLIFE Photo Collection
Clue 6
The tower was almost lost during World War Two. American soldiers had orders to destroy all buildings that could be used as lookout points for enemy snipers. In fact, German soldiers occupying Italy at the time did use the tower as a lookout. However, the story goes that when the Allies arrived they were so impressed by the beauty of the tower and surrounding Field of Miracles they decided to leave it standing.
Clue 7
There have been many attempts to correct the lean, mostly unsuccessful. However, as of 2001, the tower was officially declared stable. It will remain so for at least the next 200 years. In 2008 engineers discovered that the tower is officially no longer moving. So, for the first time in its history, it isn’t very slowly toppling over.
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Did you guess the building?
Ok, it's time to be straight with you. It's the Leaning Tower of Pisa, situated behind the Pisa Cathedral, the third-oldest structure in the city's Piazza del Duomo. You can click the arrows to explore it here, or discover more about this idiosyncratic icon here.
