Pisa
AA-2026-DA7B0B
On the image
The most famous architectural error in the world still stood proudly off-kilter in the 1970s, drawing visitors from across the globe who traveled great distances to confirm its ongoing failure to stand straight.
A crowd of tourists gathers on the manicured grass, some perhaps contemplating how to take a photograph that makes it look like they are personally propping up the colossal structure, a timeless ritual of vacationing near famous monuments. Stone bollards keep them from trampling the immediate grounds, a practical compromise between aesthetics and crowd control.
The entire scene suggests a careful balance between letting the public view the problem and ensuring the problem does not get any worse, a monument to human ingenuity applied to fixing something that was celebrated precisely because it was broken.
The historian's note
The photograph depicts the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the campanile (bell tower) of the Pisa Cathedral, located in the Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles) in Pisa, Italy. Construction of the tower began in 1173, and its famous lean began during its construction due to soft ground unable to support the weight.
By the 1970s, the tilt of the tower had become significant, causing serious structural concerns. While a major tourist attraction, the potential for collapse prompted various studies and plans for stabilization throughout this decade and into the next, culminating in major restoration work in the 1990s and early 2000s.
The image captures the tower during a period of active international concern over its long-term stability, yet before the most extensive structural interventions were implemented, showcasing a popular global landmark during a critical phase of its history.
Subjects & keywords — each links to a search
Visually related — by likeness
Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy, 1970s. 1970–1979. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-DA7B0B. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/leaning-tower-of-pisa-italy-1970s.
@misc{aaAA2026DA7B0B,
title = {Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy, 1970s},
year = {1970–1979},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-DA7B0B},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/leaning-tower-of-pisa-italy-1970s}
}TY - ART TI - Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy, 1970s PY - 1970–1979 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-DA7B0B UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/leaning-tower-of-pisa-italy-1970s ER -
From the community
Identifications, corrections, and discussion from readers — reviewed by a librarian before appearing here.
Sign in to add an identification, correction, or comment.
No notes yet — be the first to add what you know about this image.