Are you a teacher and need to tell the story of the Tower of Pisa to your pupils? Or are you a parent and want to explain to your children why the Tower of Pisa is leaning?
In this post we discover together the history of the Tower of Pisa explained to children, we will see together what are the causes of its slope and the succession of events that led to its construction.
Ready? Here is the children’s research on the Tower of Pisa!
ALT! Before we start with the article, a quick warning: you should know that the Tower of Pisa is one of the most visited monuments in Italy! If you want to visit it with children, avoiding the long queue at the ticket office, it is recommended that you purchase your ticket online. Click below to book your admission and access the Leaning Tower in an instant.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa: ticket for adults and children
Purchase online. Choose the time of your choice. Visit the famous Tower of Pisa, the Duomo and the Piazza dei Miracoli.
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The Tower of Pisa: children’s research
Today I want to tell you a truly fascinating story about one of the most famous towers in the world: the Tower of Pisa! Have you ever wondered why it is so special and, more importantly, why it is all crooked? Well, get ready to find out!
Why is the Tower of Pisa leaning?
The Tower of Pisa is crooked because it was built on very soft ground.
A long time ago, the place where the Tower now stands was a swamp. The soil is made of sand and river silt, which is very soft and cannot support the weight of such a large and heavy structure well.
So, even as they were building it,the Tower began to tilt!
But what is the history of the construction of this legendary tower?
The Tower of Pisa: children’s story
The construction of the Tower
The Tower of Pisa is 58.36 meters high and weighs an impressive 14,453 tons!
It was part of a large construction project that was started thanks to the riches that the city of Pisa obtained during its military adventures.
The tower was supposed to be the bell tower of the Duomo, that is, the cathedral of Pisa, and was cylindrical in shape instead of square, which is quite rare.
The architects Diotisalvi and Buschetto decided to build the Tower a bit away from the Cathedral, so the vibrations of the bells would not damage the cathedral.
Work began under Bonanno Pisano, but they had to stop when they realized that the Tower was beginning to tilt.
Work interrupted and resumed
After building up to the third floor, work stopped for many years.
It was not until 1275 that Giovanni di Simone and Giovanni Pisano resumed construction, attempting to straighten the Tower by adding floors in the opposite direction to the slope.
But the Tower continued to tilt.
Attempts at restoration and rescue
Over the years, there have been many attempts to straighten the Tower and prevent it from collapsing.
Some interventions, however, worsened the situation, such as the one by Alessandro della Gerardesca in 1838, which lifted the earth around the base of the Tower, causing the structure to tilt even more.
Mussolini also tried in 1934, filling the base of the Tower with concrete, but this caused it to tilt even more.
During World War II, the Tower survived the bombing, although the surrounding area suffered much damage.
The great restoration
In 1990, it was decided to make another attempt to save the Tower.
A team of experts led by Professor Michele Jamiolkowski worked hard to stabilize the Tower.
They dug under the Tower on the side opposite the slope and put lead masses at the base to balance the weight.
Thanks to these efforts, the Tower straightened up a bit and reopened to the public in 2001.
Today,the Tower is continuously monitored to make sure it remains stable.
Legends of the Tower for children
In addition to its history, the Tower of Pisa has many legends and fun facts that make it even more special!
Galileo Galilei’s experiments
Long ago, a famous scientist named Galileo Galilei used the Tower of Pisa to do experiments.
Legend says that Galileo dropped two cannonballs from the Tower to prove that the falling speed of an object does not depend on its weight.
Some say that Galileo’s ghost still roams around the Tower to continue his experiments!
The bells of the Tower
At the top of the Tower of Pisa is a bell dedicated to San Ranieri, the patron saint of Pisa.
This bell is known as the “Traitor’s Bell”.
In the Middle Ages, it was played when citizens guilty of treason were punished.
Today, however, it is only a memory of those ancient times.
Other fun facts
- Tower-shaped lipstick container: In 1950, a jeweler named Louis Nichilo created a lipstick container inspired by the Tower of Pisa, which was then tilted just like the Tower. Today it has become a much sought-after vintage item.
- Trick in the movie: In the 1982 movie “Amici miei – act two,” a group of Tuscan friends play a joke on tourists, making them think the Tower is about to collapse and staging a tug-of-war to “save” it.
- Videogames: The Tower of Pisa is also famous in video games. It was added as a “mod” in the game “Bethesda.” Players can find an abandoned version of the Tower on a planet in another solar system.
Conclusion
The Tower of Pisa is a masterpiece of engineering and history. Although it is crooked, it is precisely this peculiarity that makes it so special and beloved by all.
So the next time you see a picture of the Tower of Pisa, you will know why it is so unique and how much history is behind its tilt!
I hope you enjoyed this story and that it made you realize how important it is to take care of our historical monuments.
Tower of Pisa: entrance fee for children and adults
Purchase online. Choose the time of your choice. Visit the famous Tower of Pisa, the Duomo and the Piazza dei Miracoli.
You can cancel for free up to the day before the visit.
