Culture & Lifestyle • Landmark

Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a medieval bell tower in Pisa, Tuscany, Italy, famous for its unintended tilt caused by unstable ground.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a medieval bell tower in Pisa, Tuscany, Italy, famous for its unintended tilt caused by unstable ground. It stands in the Piazza dei Miracoli, beside Pisa Cathedral and the Baptistery, and is one of Italy’s best-known landmarks.

History

Construction began in 1173 and continued intermittently over the 12th to 14th centuries. The tower started leaning during construction because the ground beneath it was unstable.

Architecture and dimensions

The tower is a Romanesque bell tower associated with Pisa Cathedral. Reported measurements vary by source, but its height is commonly given at about 55.86 metres, with some sources citing up to 58.36 metres including the foundation level.

Lean and stabilization

The tower’s lean has long been its defining feature, with estimates around four to five degrees from vertical. Restoration and engineering work in the late 20th and early 21st centuries stabilized the structure, and a 2008 report said it had stopped moving.

Cultural significance

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks and a central attraction in Pisa. It contributes to the UNESCO-listed monumental complex of the Piazza dei Miracoli.

Key facts

The tower is famous for leaning because its foundation settled unevenly on soft ground during construction.
It is a medieval structure and part of the cathedral complex in Pisa’s Piazza dei Miracoli.
Construction began in 1173 and was completed in the 14th century.
The tower has become a major tourist attraction and architectural icon.
Stabilization work reduced the risk of collapse, and engineers reported in 2008 that the tower was no longer moving.

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Canadian context

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is widely recognized by Canadian travellers and appears in Canadian tourism, architecture, and world-heritage references as one of Europe’s most famous landmarks.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

It is a medieval bell tower in Pisa, Italy, known for its pronounced lean caused by unstable foundations.

When was the tower built?

Construction began in 1173 and was completed in the 14th century.

Why does it lean?

The tower leans because the soft ground beneath it could not properly support the structure during construction.

How tall is it?

Sources give slightly different figures, commonly around 55.86 metres, with some measurements reaching 58.36 metres depending on how height is defined.

What is it used for?

It serves as the bell tower of Pisa Cathedral and was not originally built as a defensive structure.

Is it still leaning more over time?

A 2008 report said engineers found the tower was officially no longer moving after stabilization work.

References

Walks of Italy — https://www.walksofitaly.com/blog/art-culture/leaning-tower-of-pisa-facts
Supports: Engineers found in 2008 that the tower was officially no longer moving.
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaning_Tower_of_Pisa
Supports: Lean due to unstable foundation; part of Piazza del Duomo; visitor attraction; began leaning during 12th-century construction.
Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Leaning-Tower-of-Pisa
Supports: Medieval structure in Pisa, Tuscany; lean from settled foundations; located in the cathedral complex known as Piazza dei Miracoli.
Opera della Primaziale Pisana — https://www.opapisa.it/en/square-of-miracles/tower/
Supports: Official description as the cathedral bell tower, not a defensive tower; current inclination and structural details.
Tower of Pisa — https://www.towerofpisa.org/tower-of-pisa-historical-facts/
Supports: Construction began in 1173 and was completed in the mid-1300s.