A visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa has long been on my travel radar, and it now holds a place on my bucket list as a must‑see landmark rich in history and architectural significance.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa has always fascinated me. I mean, it’s a building that’s been trying to fall over for centuries and still hasn’t managed it, relatable. I’ve always wanted to go there, but recently the universe has been sending me signs. And by “the universe,” I mean my friends, who keep visiting Pisa, taking smug photos, and casually dropping them into group chats like it’s no big deal.
After seeing enough of their “look at me holding up the tower” pictures to last a lifetime, I finally caved and added it to my bucket list. If you can’t beat them, join them, preferably with a better pose.
Why The Tower Leans (and Why It Hasn’t Fallen Yet).
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is technically the campanile, the fancy word for “bell tower”, of Pisa Cathedral. It leans at nearly four degrees because someone in the 12th century thought it was a great idea to build a massive stone tower on soft ground.
The tower stands between 183 and 185 feet tall depending on which side you measure, because of course it does. It weighs around 14,500 tonnes, which is roughly the same as my luggage when I go on holiday. It has either 296 or 294 steps, depending on which staircase you take, the north-facing one is missing two steps on the seventh floor, probably because even the stairs gave up.
By 1990, the tilt had reached 5.5 degrees, which is basically the architectural equivalent of “I’m fine” when you’re absolutely not fine. Thankfully, between 1993 and 2001, engineers stepped in and straightened it just enough to stop it from face-planting into the Piazza dei Miracoli. It now leans at a respectable 3.97 degrees, still dramatic, but stable.
My Dream Visit: Arriving by Cruise Like a Classy Explorer.
My ideal way to visit Pisa is by cruise. There’s just something glamorous about sailing into Livorno, hopping off the ship, and heading straight to one of the world’s most iconic landmarks. Many cruise lines offer excursions to Pisa, which means I can enjoy the tower without having to navigate Italian trains while half-asleep.
Plus, arriving by cruise gives me time to mentally prepare for climbing nearly 300 steps. I’ll need it.
Looking Forward to the Day I Finally See It.
This is one bucket list item I know I’ll tick off eventually. With so many cruise ships calling at Livorno, it’s only a matter of finding the right itinerary, and the right shoes for all those steps.
Until then, the Leaning Tower of Pisa remains one of those places I can’t wait to see in person. And yes, I fully intend to take the classic “holding up the tower” photo. It’s practically a legal requirement.
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