Leaning Tower of Pisa

Italy · architecture · leaning

A wobbly bell tower. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a tall stone tower in the city of Pisa, Italy, and it's famous because it tilts to one side. It leans at almost a four-degree angle, which might not sound like much, but it's enough to make the whole tower look like it's about to tip over.

Built on bad ground. The tower started leaning because it was built on soft, unstable soil that couldn't hold up the heavy stone building properly. Builders didn't realize the ground underneath was too mushy and weak to support such a tall structure.

A bell tower for a cathedral. The tower is called a campanile, which is a fancy word for a freestanding bell tower. It sits next to Pisa Cathedral, one of the most beautiful churches in Italy, and holds bells that ring to call people to worship.

Millions come to visit. Even though the tower is leaning the wrong way, it has become one of the most visited tourist attractions in the whole world. Over 5 million people visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa every single year because they want to see this wonky wonder in person.

A symbol of Italy. The Leaning Tower has become an iconic symbol of Italy all around the world. People recognize it instantly because of its distinctive lean, making it one of the most famous buildings on Earth.