What do you imagine when someone says Italy? I probably think of pasta, Italians zipping around on Vespas, and the Leaning Tower. In this guide, Pisa, Italy: Facts, Information and Where to Buy Tickets for the Leaning Tower, I’ll take a look together at information and interesting facts about the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and where to buy tickets.
Leaning Tower of Pisa: Basic Information
The Leaning Tower (Torre Pendente) stands in Piazza dei Miracoli in the Italian city of Pisa in the Tuscan region. The tower is 56 meters tall and was built in the Romanesque style in 1173.
It was designed by architects Bonanno Pisano, Guglielmo, and Diotisalvi to complement the local group of ecclesiastical buildings — the Baptistery of St. John the Baptist and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.
The tower has a cylindrical shape and is built from white marble and stone. The architects’ original intention was to build the tallest bell tower in the world.
You can reach the Leaning Tower on foot from the center of Pisa in about 15 minutes; the path is clearly marked. The nearest bus stop is on Via Bonanno and is aptly named Torre.
TIP: Where to Go for a Vacation in Italy
Where to Buy Tickets
The Leaning Tower is open every day. In winter, opening hours are from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, and in summer from 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM. If you want to go inside and climb the stairs to the tower’s viewpoint, tickets are required.
Tickets can be purchased in two different forms: admission to the cathedral and the tower for 20 euros or admission to all cathedral sites, including the tower, for 27 euros. Ticket prices are the same for all age categories. Unfortunately, children under 8 years old are not allowed in the tower.
Tickets are available either on the official website with a specific reservation time, or on-site at the tower entrance. However, I recommend making a reservation in advance for a specific visit time, as tickets may no longer be available on-site.
If you want to avoid queues, you can purchase skip-the-line tickets on the GetYourGuide portal.
Why is the Leaning Tower Leaning?
The tower began to lean after about a year of construction, due to the soft clay subsoil. Thus, the architects’ dream of building the tallest bell tower in the world vanished before their eyes. Subsequently, several attempts were made to stabilize the tower’s center of gravity, which succeeded for a while, but after some time, the tower began to lean again, this time in the opposite direction.
In the 20th century, the tower’s lean exceeded 5 meters , and so it was closed to the public in 1990, and intensive work began to save the monument.
The bell tower was secured with steel cables to ensure it was not dangerous for visitors, and in 2001, it was reopened to the public. The lean was reduced by almost 2 meters.
How to get to Pisa
Pisa is a beautiful city in Italian Tuscany, which, besides the famous Leaning Tower, boasts other monuments, rich history, and interesting sights. I can only recommend visiting it.
Pisa has an international airport, making flying the easiest way to get to Pisa. However, you can also arrive in Pisa by train, bus, or car from nearby cities such as Genoa or Florence. You can find specific timetables on the Trenitalia website.
Similarly, you can travel to Pisa by car or bus directly from the Czech Republic.
TIP: Visit Cinque Terre National Park on your way to/from Pisa.
Interesting Facts about the Leaning Tower
Read some interesting facts about the Leaning Tower of Pisa:
- The tower originally leaned in the opposite direction.
- The builders tried to correct the lean by throwing stones and branches into the ground near the foundations.
- The tower has 273 bumpy and slippery steps.
- Experts are optimistic and believe the tower will stand for hundreds more years.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How much does the Leaning Tower lean?
The tower leans by about 3.97 degrees. The lean occurred due to the soft soil it is built upon. The soil was not firm enough and began to subside during construction.
Is the Leaning Tower dangerous?
The Leaning Tower itself is not dangerous, but its tilt can pose a certain risk. Measures have been taken to ensure visitor safety and the stability of the structure. Engineers regularly monitor the tower’s condition and take measures to increase its stability.
Are there any plans for preserving the Leaning Tower?
Engineers and restorers regularly monitor the tower’s condition and implement measures to ensure its stability. Preservation plans also include limiting visitor numbers and careful maintenance.
Are there other leaning structures?
Yes, there are other leaning structures, for example, St. Martin’s Church in Landshut, Germany, the Chinese Huqiu Pagoda, or the Church of St. Peter of Alcántara in Karviná.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
