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Book Review of The Leaning Tower of Pisa: The History and Legacy of Italy?s Most Unique Building

The Leaning Tower of Pisa: The History and Legacy of Italy?s Most Unique Building
jjares avatar reviewed on + 3414 more book reviews


This book could have been better; the photos were small, and the blurb under them needed more detail. However, the story of the Leaning Tower was interesting and far beyond what I was expecting. The campanile (bell tower) was the last edifice to be built for the Pisa Cathedral. Unfortunately, it was created on an unstable foundation. However, that would not be discovered until much later. It took about 800 years to complete. It caused a resurgence of religious feelings and artistic endeavors by the locals.

The most amusing part of this story was that proud artisans raced to obliterate their names from the edifice when they saw the tilt that couldn't be fixed. We cannot discern who worked on the tower because they erased all information about themselves and the tower.