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The first accurate
measurements were taken in 1911. Later, with the advent of more
instruments and scientific methods, more measurements were taken
using different tools and methods. The year 1992 saw the
installation of an electronic monitoring station. With this, the
effect of strong winds and seismic activity in the Tower could also
be recorded. As the Tower showed a noticeable southward rotation, a
counterweight of 600 tones made up of lead ingots was attached to
the northern side of the Tower’s base. The result was by far the
most satisfactory one achieved till then. A further inclination
recorded in 1995 resulted in the counterweights being made heavier
by several tones. The irony in the situation was that the cause of
this particular inclination was attributed to some repair work
carried out in 1935.
The inclination measures
5½ degrees towards the south and is evident by a look at the seventh
cornice, which protrudes about 4.5m over the first cornice. It is
believed to be increasing at a rate of 1/25th of an inch
every year.
Let us climb the
Tower
Looking up at it we would be gazing at a Tower that measures 60
meters from the foundations to the belfry. The foundation is ring
shaped and has an external diameter of 19.6 meters. Climbing inside
the Tower, we would find ourselves inside a hollow cylinder formed
by two concentric walls made with marble blocks. The access to the
arcaded storeys and the very summit of the tower is through a
294-step spiral staircase within the cylindrical body. Not that we
would try lifting it but for the curious, the Tower weighs 14,500
tones.
Adding to the fame of
the Tower is the fact that the famous Italian physicist Galileo used
the tower to conduct several experiments related to gravity and the
relative speed of falling objects. |
