The Leaning Tower of Pisa

• On August 9, 1173, construction began of a beautiful new bell tower at Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles), Pisa, Italy. By the time the first meter and a half (five feet) of the base was complete, it was clear that it was tilting.
• Over the next two centuries, construction was halted and restarted several times. The upper floors of the tower were built askew, in an attempt to adjust for the tilt. As a result, the tower bends upward, as if trying to overcome gravity.
• The tower's tilt was caused by uneven sinking of its foundation into sandy, marshy soil. It continued to lean further every year, until recent excavations and reinforcements were made. Work continues to ensure that the beloved Leaning Tower will never fall.

More about the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Source: The Learning Kingdom's Cool Fact of the Day (http://www.tlk-lists.com/join/) for December 10, 1999