Sejarah Menara Miring Pisa - National Geographic Indonesia

Nat Geo Indonesia

26 Mar 202404:50

Summary

TLDRThe Leaning Tower of Pisa, initiated in 1173, was unintentionally tilted due to soft soil beneath its foundation. Despite efforts to correct the tilt, it has remained a symbol of the city for over 800 years. Various architects, including Bonanno Pisano, are believed to have contributed to its construction. Attempts to stabilize the tower included under excavation and the addition of counterweights. Today, it stands as a renowned tourist attraction, drawing millions annually.

Takeaways

🗼 The Leaning Tower of Pisa was not intentionally designed to be slanted; it leaned due to unstable, soft soil at its foundation.
🏰 The construction of the tower began in 1173 as the third structure in the Cathedral Complex of Pisa and took approximately 200 years to complete.
👷‍♂️ For centuries, architects Gerardo and Giovanni di Simone were believed to have built the tower, but archaeological findings suggest a man named Bonanno Pisano might have been involved.
🏗️ The tower started to lean after the third floor was completed in 1178, which led to construction halts and adjustments to correct the lean.
🌍 The soft, clayey soil mixture was not strong enough to support the tower's weight, causing it to tilt.
🔍 In 1838, the foundation was excavated to reveal the complex base construction and the possible identity of the original architect.
🏗️ In the late 20th century, engineers attempted to stabilize the tower by adding 900 tons of lead weights to its foundation.
🔄 The tower's lean was temporarily counteracted by adding more weight to the north side, but this did not stop its tilt.
🏰 Despite the lean, the tower has withstood earthquakes, wars, and time, standing for over 800 years.
🌏 The Leaning Tower of Pisa has become a symbol of the city and a major tourist attraction, drawing millions of visitors annually.

Q & A

What caused the Leaning Tower of Pisa to lean?
-The leaning was caused by the soft and unstable subsoil that could not support the tower's weight, causing it to sink on one side.
Was the Leaning Tower of Pisa intentionally designed to be slanted?
-No, the leaning was not intentional. It was a result of the unstable foundation due to the soft soil.
When was the construction of the Leaning Tower of Pisa started?
-The construction began in 1173.
How long did it take to complete the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
-The construction took approximately 200 years and was completed in 1372.
Who are the architects believed to have designed the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
-The architects Bonanno Pisano, Gerardo, and Giovanni di Simone are believed to be involved in the construction, but the exact architect is still a mystery.
What was discovered during the archaeological excavation in 1838 that provided a clue about the architect?
-An inscribed stone with the name 'Bonano' in Latin was found, suggesting that Bonanno Pisano might have been the architect.
Why did the construction of the Leaning Tower of Pisa stop after the third floor was built?
-The construction was halted due to the tower starting to lean and the ongoing wars at the time.
What measures were taken to stabilize the Leaning Tower of Pisa in the 14th century?
-They attempted an under excavation by using tubes and drills to remove soil beneath the northern side of the tower's foundation to correct the lean.
How did the engineers try to prevent the Leaning Tower of Pisa from collapsing in the 1990s?
-Engineers and architects installed lead counterweights weighing 900 tons to balance the tilt and stabilize the tower.
What was the outcome of the counterweight installation on the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
-The counterweights did not stop the leaning, and additional measures were needed to stabilize the tower.
How has the Leaning Tower of Pisa withstood various natural disasters and wars over the centuries?
-Despite earthquakes, wars, and its lean, the tower has remained standing, attracting millions of tourists each year.

Outlines

00:00

🗼 The Leaning Tower of Pisa's Origins and Architectural Mystery

The Leaning Tower of Pisa, contrary to popular belief, was not intentionally designed to be slanted. Its tilt is due to the soft soil on one side of its foundation, which caused the tower to lean. Despite this, the tilt has made the tower historically famous. Construction began in 1173 as part of the Cathedral Complex in Pisa, Italy. The tower was built as a bell tower and took approximately 200 years to complete, with the final touches added in 1372. The architects responsible for the tower have been a subject of debate, with Gerardo and Giovanni di Simone historically credited, but recent archaeological findings suggest a person named Bonanno Pisano might be the true architect, as his name was found inscribed on a Latin inscription stone at the tower's base. The tower began to lean after the third floor was completed in 1178, causing concern among the people of Italy. The cause of the tilt was attributed to the dense clay soil mixture that was not strong enough to support the tower's weight. Construction was halted and later focused on wars occurring at the time. Various attempts were made to correct the tilt, including an under-excavation method that reduced the tilt by 10%. The tower was further modified in the 14th century with the addition of seven floors, a bell chamber, and was left untouched until the 19th century. In 1838, architect Alessandro della Gherardesca excavated the base of the tower to reveal its complex foundation, which led to the discovery of the original architect's name. In the 20th century, after World War II, Italy sought help to prevent the tower's collapse, as it had become a beloved symbol and a major tourist attraction. Engineers and architects attempted to stabilize the tower by adding counterweights, but these efforts did not stop the lean. Today, the Leaning Tower of Pisa has been leaning for over 800 years and continues to stand despite earthquakes, storms, and wars, drawing millions of tourists annually.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a famous architectural structure in Pisa, Italy, known for its unintended tilt to one side. This tilt is a key feature of the tower and the central theme of the video, as it discusses the causes and historical significance of the lean. The tower's tilt is not only a physical characteristic but also a symbol of the city's resilience and architectural history.

💡Subsoil

Subsoil refers to the layer of soil beneath the topsoil. In the context of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the subsoil's instability, particularly the soft and loose soil, is identified as the primary cause of the tower's tilt. The video explains how the tower's foundation was built on this unstable ground, leading to the famous lean that has persisted for centuries.

💡Architect

An architect is a professional who designs buildings and oversees their construction. The video mentions several architects, including Gerardo and Giovanni di Simone, who were historically believed to have designed the tower. However, archaeological findings suggest that a person named Bonanno Pisano might have been the architect, as his name was found inscribed in a stone at the tower's base.

💡Construction

Construction in this context refers to the process of building the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The video outlines the construction timeline, which began in 1173 and was completed in 1372. It also discusses how the tower's construction was interrupted and delayed due to wars and the discovery of the tilt, which led to pauses and reevaluations of the building process.

💡Under excavation

Under excavation is a technique used to stabilize the Leaning Tower of Pisa by removing soil from beneath the foundation. The video describes how this non-invasive method was employed to reduce the tower's tilt by removing soil from the northern side, allowing the structure to slowly rotate back to a more upright position.

💡Tilt

Tilt, in the context of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, refers to the tower's inclination to one side. The video explains that the tilt was not intentional but resulted from the unstable subsoil. The tilt has become a defining characteristic of the tower, making it a famous tourist attraction and a symbol of Pisa.

💡Bell tower

A bell tower is a structure that houses bells, often used for signaling or as part of a church complex. The Leaning Tower of Pisa was originally built as a bell tower for the Pisa Cathedral. The video discusses the tower's original purpose and how it was the third and final structure in the cathedral complex.

💡Archaeological findings

Archaeological findings are discoveries made during archaeological excavations that provide insights into historical structures and events. The video mentions the discovery of an inscribed stone with the name 'Bonanno' in Latin, which led researchers to believe that Bonanno Pisano might be the architect of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

💡Stabilization efforts

Stabilization efforts refer to the various interventions made to prevent the Leaning Tower of Pisa from collapsing due to its tilt. The video details several attempts, including the use of counterweights and the removal of soil beneath the foundation, to stabilize the tower and preserve it as a historical landmark.

💡Tourist attraction

A tourist attraction is a place of interest that draws visitors. The Leaning Tower of Pisa has become a significant tourist attraction, as highlighted in the video, due to its unique tilt and historical significance. The tower's fame has made it a must-see destination for millions of visitors each year.

💡Cathedral complex

A cathedral complex is a group of buildings that includes a cathedral and other religious or administrative structures. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is part of the Pisa Cathedral complex, as mentioned in the video, which also includes the cathedral itself and a baptistery. The tower's role as a bell tower within this complex is significant to its historical context.

Highlights

The Leaning Tower of Pisa's tilt was not intentional but due to soft soil at its foundation.

The tower began to lean on one side due to the soft soil causing it to settle unevenly.

Despite its tilt, the Leaning Tower of Pisa became famous in history.

Construction of the tower began in 1173 as the third structure of the Cathedral Complex in Pisa.

The tower was built as a bell tower and took approximately 200 years to complete due to ongoing warfare.

The tower was completed in 1372, taking nearly two centuries.

For years, the architects of the Leaning Tower of Pisa were believed to be Gerardo and Giovanni di Simone.

Archaeological research discovered the name Bonanno Pisano inscribed on a Latin-inscribed stone at the tower's base.

Bonanno Pisano's identity remains a mystery, and it's believed he disappeared due to the tower's tilt.

The tower stood upright for over five years before it began to lean after the third floor was built in 1178.

The soft mixture of clay soil was not strong enough to support the tower's weight, causing it to tilt.

Construction was halted and later focused on wars occurring at the time.

In an attempt to correct the tilt, an under excavation method was used to remove soil beneath the tower's northern side.

This method successfully reduced the tilt by 10%, making it lean at 5 degrees.

In the 14th century, the tower was added with seven more floors, a bell chamber, and then left untouched until the 19th century.

In 1838, architect Alessandro della Gherardesca excavated the base of the tower to reveal its complex foundation.

After World War II, Italy sought help to prevent the tower from collapsing, as it had become a beloved symbol.

Engineers and architects installed a counterweight of 900 tons to stabilize the leaning tower.

In 1993, 600 tons of lead were attached to the tower's northern base to balance the sinking southern side.

Despite efforts, the tower continued to lean, and an additional 300 tons were added along with steel cables.

In the 20th century, Giovan Shimono tried to balance the tilt by making one side of the upper floor higher than the other.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa has been leaning for over 800 years and still stands despite earthquakes, wars, and other challenges.

The tower attracts millions of tourists annually, drawn by its unique tilt.