HANOI OPEN UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF TOURISM

..…....…......

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

Students: 1. Nguyễn Đỗ Thu Nương

2. Nguyễn Thị Thanh Ngân

Class : A2K20 – Group: 2

Hanoi, 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION .………………………………………………………………… 3

I.1. The introduction of the assignment ...………………………….………………..……… 3

I.2. The introduction of the Leaning Tower of Pisa …....………………..………………….. 3

II. BODY ....……………………………………………………..…………………….... 5

II.1.The introduction of Pisa – Italy ...………………………………..……………………... 5

II.2.History of the Leaning Tower of Pisa ……………………………..……………………. 5

II.3.Stories and legends associated with the Leaning Tower of Pisa ….….……………….... 6

II.4.Tourism values ..………………………………………………………….……………... 8

II.5.Advice for tourists .……………………………………………………………………... 8

II.6.Relating to a tourist attraction in Vietnam …………………………….……………….. 9

III. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS………………………………….11

III.1. Conclution

…………………………………………………………………...………….11

III.2. Recommendations………………………………………………………

…..………….. 11

I. INTRODUCTION

1.1. The introduction of the assignment:

This assignment talk about the Leaning Tower of Pisa – Italy, which has much tourism

values. It is an unique architecture in the world, is attractive destination to tourist. And this

assignment will provide to you more and more information about the Leaning Tower of Pisa. So,

it will inspire you to want to Pisa to see firsthand the value of a rich tower historical and

architectural. May be, it promotes the development of tourism and advertising about the Leaning

Tower of Pisa.

By searching online information, consult from a few visitors have been to Pisa, this

assignment provide quite enough information about the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

However, this assignment will have a few shortcomings, we hope to receive feedback from

you. Thank you.

1.2. The introduction of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Millions years of history have passed,

the exodus to explore new lands, great

architectures, human didn't stop doing

wonderful things. But human made a

mistake, and after all, no human were

perfect. This mistake made up a miracle for

humanity, one of the seven wonders of the

world-the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is located in

Pisa, Italy at the "Piazza dei Miracoli"

square (Field of Miracle). It's like a dream

word than real. But in the last 800 years, the

world still admire this work. Standing tower

protruding like a knife, it's like a challenge

to the gravity of the earth.

A tower has been contructed in about 200 years with original idea is a bell tower for the

cathedral. From it was began contructed until now, architects, engineers have done everything in

their ability to strengthen the tower. But mostly, their effort are useless.

In 1990, the inclination of the tower to as possible. So Italian government had to shut down

to avoid disaster. But it has open up because of extensive restoration efforts by government

agencies. In fact, building was reopened in April 2001.

And now, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a popular tourist hotspot.

After all that, what is mystery behind the tower? What now? I will let you the answers for

all.

II. BODY

2.1. The introduction of Pisa – Italy

Located in the south of Europe, not only famous as the fashion capital, Italy with the

characteristic structures of an ancient Roman kingdom and legend, as well as, it has become a

dream of many visitors.

Italian culture is expressed through the ruins, the great landscape as: Colosseum Arena,

Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, the Duomo Cathedral and the squares presence across cities and

towns in Italy… Learn about the Italian culture, we will see a country with a long history and a

culture of massive, ancient and historic. There’re no two.

Pisa, a city in Tuscany, central Italy,

situated on the right bank of the Arno river

flowing into the Tyrrhenian Sea. A ancient city

attracted by the wealth of architecture and great

art. Not only famous for its historical churches,

palaces and romantic bridges across the Arno

River, Pisa is also known for a works has

become a symbol of a mighty. Second world war

had destroyed many famous buildings and

historic sites of this city, but today, Pisa is

known to tourists around the world with the highest bell tower in Europe, the Leaning Tower of

Pisa.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa simple is tower of Pisa, famous in the world. It is situated behind

the cathedral and is the third older structure in Pisa's Cathedral square after the cathedral and the

baptistry. The tower's tilt began during construction caused by an inadequate foundation on

ground too soft on one side to properly support the structure's weight. The tilt increased in the

decades before the structure was completed. This is one of the important factors that make

attractive tower. And perhaps, most of us have been asking questions about the origin, the cause

for this is the unique shape like that.

2.2. History of the Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa was built began on August 14 in 1173 to prove to the world

about the wealth, prosperity of Pisa city, which has produced talented sailors, a prominent

maritime conquered new lands from Jerusalem to Carthago, Ibiza, Mallorca, Africa, Belgium,

the UK, Norway, Spain and elsewhere.

The tower was built in three stages with a total time of about 174 years.

Originally, the tower was built on a foundation of rough upright, with the tower legs sank 3

meters underground. The first floor steeple was built by white marble campanile on August 9,

1173 _ the period of prosperity and the victory of the Italian military. This ground floor was a

blind arcade by engaged columns with classical Corinthian capitals. However, because of a war

with Florence, so the construction was delayed.

In 1180, it was started again, we completed 3 storey towers. At this time, ground subsidence

and tower was began tilt, so the tower was also accompanied "leaning" since the unfinished

construction. To limited tilt, the designers had tried to build the columns and the north arches

higher. But the war with Florence happen again, so building towers must stopped to priorities for

it. In 1198, a bell was temporarily placed on the third floor when the unfinished construction.

After nearly 100 years, the tower is still in progress and land under the foundation continue

to fall gradually.

In 1272, the build were continue with Giovanni di Simone, architects of the Camposanto

with their efforts. The flipper floors was built taller. Because of this, the tower was actually

curved, but, the leaning tower of Pisa was stoped in 1284 when the Pisa people were defeated by

the Geno people in the battle of Meloria.

The seventh floor was completed in 1319. It was built by Tommaso di Andrea Pisano. The

was harmonizing the Gothic elements of the bell chamber with style the Romanesque.

2.3. Stories and legends associated with the Leaning Tower of Pisa

There was a famous story related to the leaning tower of Pisa. In the XVI century, the famous

scientist Galileo did an experiment to demonstrated the speed of fall is not related to the volume

on top of the tower. To proved that all objects fall the same speed as it falls, Galileo was

launched simultaneously two rounds cannon had a different weight to the ground and the results

of the experiment were also recognized by the scientific council. Again, the leaning tower of Pisa

went into human history with a talented scientist names.

In the war between Pisa and Florence extended to 9 years. In 1284, Pisa lost the war at sea

with the fleet of Genoa by the betrayal of Count Ugolino della Gherardesca. They punish traitor

by confine his family in tower and threw the door key into the Arno river. Consequently, the

entire his family died of starvation.

During World War II, the Allied discovered that the Fascist forces was using the Pisa tower

as an observatory. A U.S. Army sergeant was commanded to decide the fate of the tower. I do

not understand why he did not choose to attack tower to keep his work instead of protect it, so

today the new humanity has a leaning tower in the world that comes Italy sightseeing watching.

Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini had ordered erect the tower of Pisa, and the concrete

was poured into its foundation. However the actual results as the tower was deeper into the soil.

End of February 1964, the Italian Government called for support to prevent the tower of Pisa

leaning more to it. However, keeping the tower of Pisa retain tilt as it is now also an important

requirement, because the Italian government has clearly recognized the role of the "skew factor"

in attracting tourists to the smokeless industry from the Pisa tower. A team of engineers,

mathematicians, historians multinational participated in seminars on the Azores islands to

discuss measures to stabilize the tower. After more than two decades of operation of the project,

the tower of Pisa was closed to the public in January 1990. When the tower was closed, the bell

was removed to reduce weight, and the cable harness around the third floor to held the tower.

The apartments and houses along the direction of the leaning tower had been evacuated to safety.

In the XXI century, Ashrita Furman, who has set several world records as walking on stilts a

distance of 1.6 kilometers in less than 8 minutes, using a chin balance a 16-meter-long stick,

challenged with the leaning tower of Pisa. He wanted to record by using his chin to balanced

many plastic milk bucket in 10 seconds.

Especially, October 2, 2010, Pisa tower was covered by the red beautiful light like the other

works in the world to celebrate The international day against breast cancer.

And now, Pisa is a important part in mass culture. For example, in the Futurama animated

series, the Leaning tower was erected by Fry and Bender and then it was back to the original

location of the joy of Planet Express Ship. Or, in Bartimaeus Trilogy, God Islam Bartimaeus

claimed that he helped built Tower of Pisa, but his advice was ignored builders and that is why it

is tilted. And, in a Tool Time passage in Home Improvement, Tim Taylor gave a picture of the

tower as the example to explain why humans can create masterpieces with tools. His assistant Al

Borland say continue that the tower is in fact an example of human error. In one scene resulted in

Rocko's Modern Life Recovery, a particular shape of the tower stood by Heffer, cause it to tilt.

And, in the Viva La Bam show of MTV, Bam to visit the tower with his uncle, Don Vito, who

called it the "Leaning Tower of Pizza" and said there is a pizzeria in the bottom of the tower.

Then he said with a tone very excited that the town is named after pizza.

And after all, the stories have made sacred soul to the leaning tower.

2.4. Tourism values

Located in a privileged country climate, near by the Mediterranean Sea, located in the heart

of the city with many buildings, great art. In Piazza dei Miracoli (Field of miracles), the Leaning

Tower of Pisa is one of four important works of the complex of churches, chapels and

cemeteries, it was recognized world heritage by UNESCO.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa had a vibrant construction. It was build tilt, but, it's not collapsed.

It was built in 1173 and completed in 1399 with a construction process lasted over 200 years. It

marked the history of a city rich and prosperous. With the unique architecture is made of marble,

the Leaning Tower of Pisa have characteristics medieval style with Roman style. This work has

become a pride of the people in Pisa city.

The story attached to the tower, about the war with Florence, about the vicissitudes in World

War 2, about punishment for traitors. The whole time with the leaning remedy as a historic book

attracted the sight of tourists.

In addition, a little mystery about who the father of the tower, it also makes another mystery

book of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. That, many years ago, people thought that Guglielmo and

Bonamo Pisano was designer, they were a well- known 12th century resident artist of Pisa. But

Bonamo Pisano left Pisa in 1185, only to come back and die in his home town. In 1820 the foot

of the tower have discovered a piece of cast with their name. However, recent studies, Diotisalvi

was original architect, because, the bell tower of San Nicola are same as the Bapistery, both in

Pisa. He usually signed his works but there is no signature by him in the bell tower. And

Diotisalvi is architect building the Leaning tower of Pisa, may be, it is wrong.

In particular inclination of the tower. It is from this inclination, a photographer who has

created special images that only tourists coming here can be done. They will be testing the feel of

the film character, is a man to be leaning tower, or who will be trying to build the tower straight

up in vain.

Oh, it's extremely interesting.

2.5. Advice for tourists

When you come to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, you can learn some things quite rewarding,

such as:

- Each time you visit the tower, visitors must divide into small group include 30 people.

- The tour lasts 30 minutes and there is no respite.

- Before that, the tour guides made the exercise to prepare for the launch of visitors to

climb 300 stairs repeatedly without becoming dizzy.

- The last floor’s door is quite narrow, it can make some troubles for tall people.

- Children aren’t enough 8 years old, don’t visit tower to ensure safety. And children

whom under 18 years old need to go with adult people.

- Baggage must leave the ground but cameras and camcorders can bring.

- In 2007, ticket for a 20 minutes tour is 15 euro/people.

In addition, when you go to Pisa city, you should know: Pisa city is pretty safe, but you

should still be careful when you go out late at night. Let memorize that do not stay too cheap

hotels. And specially, do not bring expensive jewelry.

2.6. Relating to a tourist attraction in Vietnam:

From the faraway country of Italy to Viet Nam, from the Pisa city to Hanoi capital, we can

see a architecture also having Gothic style – Saint Joseph Cathedral.

Saint Joseph Cathedral is located at 40 Nha Chung

Street, Ha Noi, is a Roman Catholic cathedral with neo-

gothic style.

It was constructed in 1882 by the French and

completed in 1886, 4 years after construction. The

cathedral and Nha Chung area was built on the land

formerly belonging to Bao Thien pagoda, which was

built under Ly dynasty.

The church was designed in the Gothic style of

medieval Europe, which was popular in the 12th century

and the Renaissance in Europe, made in the form of the

Notre Dame Cathedral Paris with curved domes, wide, oriented sky. The church is 64.5 m in

length, 20.5 m in width and two bell towers of 31.5 m height with big and severe pillars at four

corner. Atop the stone crucifix. Though the appearance of

cathedral such as the doors, the colorful of window glass…

are decorated follow Western style, but the main interior

part is decorated in Vietnamese way with two typical

colors yellow and red.

The church also has a west bell, including four small bells and one big deck bell, worth

20,000 French francs at that time. Especially, the big clock mounted between the front of the

church. Outside, in front of the cathedral is the statue of Mother Maria by metal. Around the

cathedral has the procession, flower beds, rear cave. Currently, the whole space and landscape

of the church is crowded by urban development, loss commensurate with the scale of the massive

church, is lost match the scale of the massive church.

Saint Joseph Cathedral is an ancient church in Hanoi, where regular take place of religious

activities of the laity of the Archdiocese of Hanoi such as Christmas for both Christians and non-

Christians.

Today, Nha Chung Street becomes the “Lemon Tea” street, a popular gathering place to

many youngsters in Hanoi, and home to eye-catching souvenir shops and Western style

restaurants. Especially Saint Joseph Cathedral, which is a best famous tourist attraction.

International tourists to Vietnam, when they arrived in Hanoi capital, the cathedral is a place

seemingly indispensable in their journey. And if you want to camoe here, from Hoan Kiem lake

head to Hang Gai Street, keep going until you reach Ly Quoc Su Street on the left hand side.

Walk pass Ly Quoc Su and you will reach Nha Chung – the Cathedral is the connecting point of

these two streets.

III. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

3.1. Conclution

Overall, the Leaning Tower of Pisa as a dream project of Pisa city in particular and the

world in general. During more than 200 years, with the war, the Leaning Tower as a symbol for

wealth, abundance of Pisa, on the other hand, as a witness for a long history. Also during 200

years, it has been completed, and stands to now. It was created by the ancient people, and to

become a novel attracts people today. The special features of architecture, the imprint of history,

the Leaning Tower of Pisa has attracted millions of tourists to the beautiful country - Italy. Go to

Pisa, to the Leaning Tower, visitors are guaranteed an almost absolute safety, but be careful with

the advice.

I think, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a miracle for human. It shows that always has strange

in the world, wherever, whenever… Because I always believe in miracles, since I was a primary

school girl. The world is not beautiful as fairy tales, but strange things always can be happen.

People make amazing things, and other people want to witness this miracle. In the near future, I

hope, I will be arriving in Italy, arrived in Pisa city, where the Arno river with romantic bridge,

and try feeling erect leaning tower trying in vain along with the photos.

3.2. Recommendations

Through this assignment, we can see the inclination of the Tower of Pisa has become a

symbol for the tilted structures in the world. As time passed, many new buildings tilt coming up

challenge Pisa tower such as Walfridus church tower was built in the 12th century in the town of

North Holland Bedum or a small church from the 15th century in Suurhusen village, northwest

Germany. However, after much investigation, experts have concluded, for the moment, the

inclination of the Tower of Pisa is in the absolute level, is the world's most inclined building.

Because there are no conditions set foot in Italy, not to witness the inclination of the Tower

of Pisa, so we can only find information on the Internet and cross-referencing a few visitors have

application here. Our English capital for the first time do assignment not deep, so assignment

process will be even more articles lacking in grammar and wording. We hope to receive

feedback to improve our capabilities in the next assignments.

REFERENCES

1. Retrieved April 22 from http://www.italyguides.it/us/pisa/leaning_tower.htm

2. Retrieved April 22 from http://www.leaningtowerofpisa.net/leaning-tower-of-pisa-

facts.html

3. Thuan An (2007). Leaning Tower of Pisa was 'resignation'. Retrieved April 22 from

http://vnexpress.net/gl/khoa-hoc/2007/11/3b9fc438/

4. Pisa Travel Guide. Retrieved April 22 from http://www.chudu24.com/huong-dan-du-

lich/chau-au/italy/pisa.html

5. Interesting history of the famous tower - Leaning Tower of Pisa. Retrieved April 22 from

http://www.dulichitalia.com/gioi-thieu-italia/lich-su-thu-vi-cua-toa-thap-noi-tieng-thap-

nghieng-pisa.html

6.  An Vy (2013). The mystery of the legendary city, where the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Retrieved April 22 from http://kenh14.vn/kham-pha/bi-an-thanh-pho-huyen-thoai-co-

thap-nghieng-pisa-20130105085846911.chn

7. An Binh (2010). The famous Leaning Tower of Pisa is straighten 46cm. Retrieved April

22 from http://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/thap-nghieng-pisa-noi-tieng-duoc-keo-thang-46cm-

443948.htm

8. Khieu Quang Bao (2011). If the tower of Pisa in Italy no longer inclined ... Retrieved

April 22 from http://vtc.vn/tapchi/402-306349/phong-su-ky-su/neu-thap-pisa-nuoc-y-

khong-con-nghieng.htm

9. H.T (2006). The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Retrieved April 22 from

http://www.khoahoc.com.vn/sukien/cong-trinh/3238_Thap-nghieng-Pisa.aspx

10. Retrieved April 22 from http://www.place.vn/dia-diem/nha-tho-lon-ha-noi-4758

APPENDIX

Some photos about the Leaning Tower of Pisa