Italy’s leaning tower of Pisa is one of the most celebrated engineering failures in the world, the lean resulting from inadequate foundations.
Construction of the tower began in 1173 and finished 199 years later. As a specialist in slow home renovations, I find that construction time reassuring.
The building’s purpose is to serve as a bell tower for the neighbouring cathedral, although these days its main function is to provide visitors with a ticketed climb. Would it be so popular without the lean?
This is my contribution to Tiffin’s A-Z Guidebook, this month starting with the letter ‘P’.
nomadicpaths 
Is that your excuse for the slow pace of renovations in a certain house we own in common? I like your style Retro Stuart.
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Think of it as an offshoot of slow food; to savour rather than rush.
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No, it wouldn’t be as popular and wouldn’t even be passed by the certifiers as up to scratch. I first visited the tower in 1992 but you were not allowed in. We visited again in 2010 at Mr Tiffin’s insistence and I was happy that we could actually scale it. Thanks for joining in – I’ve added you to the link.
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I think that the foundations were reinforced and the lean reduced in between your visits. Thanks for letting me back into the fold. I’ll try to master the link up earlier next time.
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I chose not to climb the tower without regret. Having climbed quite a number of towers, admittedly not leaning, in the previous 3 weeks, I failed to see the need. Apart from that, it was €18. What a rip.
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Vertigo is also a good rationale.
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Beautiful!! This one has a nice vantage point.:)
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You’re very kind. It’s always nice to get a little beyond the central focus of a well known sight and see its broader setting.
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Yes! Exactly why I like this one. Great shot, really.:)
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