The Leaning Tower of Pisa

Image 1- Leaning Tower of Pisa

Image 2 - Close up of columns

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a free standing bell tower in the city of Pisa in Italy. It was built in three stages and overall took 177 years to complete. The structure has eight floors with 294 steps and the highest side of the tower measures 56.70m with the lower side being one metre shorter. When you climb the tower it is the most surreal feeling of falling. You enter the building and as you get higher and higher you begin to feel like you are being pulled over in the direction that the tower is leaning. Your orientation just seems to disappear and you feel so drunk eventhough you're not (I don't think I was anyway). You are so busy trying to hold on to anything you can ( I really did feel sorry for the poor person who was walking near me and kept being pulled to the ground everytime I thought I was going to fall). The last part of the climb to the top of the bell tower is like being in a cave. It's so dark and enclosed, but when you eventually reach the top it's amazing. The feeling of falling seems to leave you and the views across Pisa are beautiful. It may not be the tallest tower in the world, but it is the most incredible experience.

Image 1 - Leaning Tower of Pisa - www.wikipedia.org
Image 2 - Close up of columns - www.wikipedia.org