Sonhando Estwick, NYC Principal, on The Leaning Tower of Piza

The iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa is one global landmark that children learn about in school at a young age. The magnificent structural phenomenon located in Pisa, Italy, is fascinating to most because of its tilted architectural mishap. There is some incredible news, however. Engineers say that the famous freestanding bell tower has made a tiny self-adjustment over a 17-year span.

It might sound ridiculous to some, but the Leaning Tower of Pisa has become a bit more vertical now by one and one-half inches. The North-leaning tower is also said to be in good shape structurally and has been declared stable for the next 200 years.

Experts have made subtle tweaking efforts to the historical landmark by digging and drilling under the foundation, draining water underneath the soft surrounding landscape and by removing its giant bells.

Still, for the three million tourists who stop by the Piazza del Duomo, not all of them ascend to the tower’s peak. Just so many can be allowed inside as a weight capacity consideration.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa was completed in the year 1372 made of beautiful white marble and limestone. The soil was the problem from the get-go; it was unstable in that it was too soft. The soil’s composition featured a combination of sand, clay and deposits from the Arno and Serchio rivers.

In the very early years, there were also plenty of efforts made to try and halt the sagging of the bell tower. In 1934, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini ordered some changes to the structure because he believed it was an embarrassment for the city. Mussolini had a crew drill numerous holes into the foundation of the tower and fill those areas with grout. Unfortunately, the process didn’t correct the tilt. In fact, the dictator’s idea made the sagging worse because the cement was too heavy, and the base began to sink further into the soft soil.

Some engineering experts don’t think that the famous tower will continue to naturally self-adjust its unique tilt by much, and if it does occur, that would take some 4,000 years.

Scientists believe that the Leaning Tower of Pisa may be one of the largest engineering bloopers in history, and yet, the structure is still standing and considered a miracle.

Originally published at sonhandoestwick.net on December 20, 2018.