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Pisa

Truly this is something that must be observed. You can never get an appreciation for the size of this thing, and how much it actually leans, until you're there. The tower is actually one of many sites on the Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles)

The tower was built in multiple stages, but it didn't take long for the architects and engineers to notice that the lean was occuring. Indeed, they noticed this well before construction was complete. At that time, they attempted to compensate for the lean by trying to alter the column length. I can't describe what they did, exactly, but it helps to think that they tried to build it like a banana to counter the sinking effect.

It didn't work.

For a long time (early 90s, perhaps?) going up into the Tower was OFF LIMITS to tourists. Fortunately, modern technology has reversed the trend of the sinking and the tower is now leaning in accordance to its original tilt - about 5.5 degrees.

You'll notice that we did not take the corny "holding up the tower with our hands" photo's. And that's okay. The day we went to Pisa, it was raining SO HARD that it kept all the tourists away, meaning we had nearly unfettered access to the Tower! It made for some amazing, unobscured shots.








Again with the steps! Guess elevators weren't invented in the 1100's... Getting to the top of the tower was something like 300+ steps and you definately notice the lean. The other thing that we got to experience is just how SLIPPERY worn marble is when wet! Nearly slipped to my death a couple of times.


Here is Cori at the bell tower. Sadly, the umbrella had to stay in the photo because of how hard it was raining. And let me tell you about that umbrella -- cost us 10 Euro's ($16 Cdn) from some shady street vendor!!

Flash photography was strictly prohibited inside the Cathedral -- not that it would have helped, mind you. Here are two of the better photos (for detail) that I took inside the cathedral.

posted by Team Shawn Michaels @ 11:22 a.m.