Inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa, visitors encounter a remarkable architecture that has stood for over 800 years.
Despite its initial leaning during construction, reaching a height of 56.67 meters with eight stories, it offers a unique experience with tilted stairs and 296 steps to the top, inviting exploration beyond mere photo opportunities.
This article will take you inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa to learn about its remarkable history, distinctive architectural elements, and the thrilling sensation of ascending its tilted stairs to the peak.
What is inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
While the iconic tilt steals the spotlight, the inside of the Tower offers a unique and surprising experience.
Let’s see how:
Entrance
You arrive at the base of the Leaning Tower of Pisa after navigating security.
The entryway is located here; it’s a little door that is 4 feet tall. Mind your head while entering through the door!
The floor has a tiny slope that causes a slight tilt underfoot as soon as you step inside.
The inside is a void where the weak illumination makes the Tower walls seem yellow.
Despite its well-known lean, the Tower’s inside appears ordinary at first look, providing visitors with a straightforward, cylindrical structure to explore.
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Waiting Area
Visitors line up at the waiting area of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and wait for their turn to climb the Tower.
A maximum of 45 people can be inside the Tower at once, and each group of visitors gets 30 minutes to make their way up.
There is a limited amount of room within the Tower. Thus, visitors should put any heavy bags, backpacks, or personal belongings in the free lockers outside the entrance while they wait.
For more such tips, read tips for visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa, to enhance your experience.
View From the Bottom
Even with its few openings and lack of artificial illumination, the Tower of Pisa has a fascinating atmosphere that calls for exploration.
The top floors seem mysterious from the bottom up, inviting people to climb up.
The Tower’s romantic charm is enhanced by natural light that softly enters through tiny windows on each floor and the glass roof on the eighth story.
The cylindrical shape of the Tower shows its architectural magnificence as you look upward, providing a fascinating peek into its timeless beauty and historical significance.
Spiral Staircase
With five distinct stairs ascending to the top, the Leaning Tower of Pisa provides visitors with a fantastic spiral staircase experience.
These graceful white marble staircases provide stunning views of Pisa and the surrounding area as they wrap around a central column.
You will need to navigate the stairway as the smallest can only fit one person at a time.
Even with the Tower’s well-known lean, it’s an exhilarating and satisfying climb up these spiral steps.
Learn more about the Leaning Tower of Pisa Lean, to make your visit even more interesting.
Despite limitations, visitors can reach the summit, guaranteeing a fun and safe experience.
The staircase offers an exciting ascent to the top of the Tower with its spiral shape and concave stairs for improved grip.
Tilting Sensation
As soon as visitors enter the Tower, they feel a sense of imbalance due to the sloping surface on which the Tower stands.
This feeling of tilt is a unique experience that adds to the charm and distinctiveness of exploring the interior of the Tower.
The ascent up the steps can take about 10 minutes, and it may take another 5 minutes to recover from the dizziness.
If you’re prone to vertigo, it’s best to enjoy the Leaning Tower of Pisa’s uppermost terrace from a safe distance from the low edge, which extends over the bustling piazza below.
Windows and Openings
The Leaning Tower of Pisa lacks artificial lighting, requiring time for eyes to adjust to the soft light inside.
Light filters in through small door-sized openings on staircase landings, closed with metal grates for safety.
Additional light enters through a large glass opening on the 8th floor.
Bells on Top
The 8th floor houses seven bells in the bell chamber, an addition to the Tower of Pisa in 1372.
Each bell corresponds to a note on the major scale, with the largest installed in 1655.
However, during restoration, these bells fell silent in the 20th century due to concerns that their vibrations could worsen the Tower’s tilt.
Explore the enchanting melodies of the Tower of Pisa bells and discover the captivating monuments nestled within the iconic Square of Miracles. Book your tickets now!
Glass Ceiling
There’s also something unique up on the 8th level: a glass ceiling in the middle that provides an aerial perspective of the inside of the Tower.
The Tower is intended to provide light, but because of its immense scale, the light appears mild, giving the picture a soft glow.
Visitors may be in awe of the Tower’s fantastic architecture and how light and space interact inside its walls from this unique vantage point.
View From the Top
From the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, visitors can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the city of Pisa.
The elevated vantage point offers a unique perspective to admire the city’s architectural wonders, including the Cathedral, Baptistery, Camposanto, and the Arno River snaking through the city.
On a clear day, you might even glimpse the Tuscan hills.
A visitor says “Beautiful Tower and totally worth the climb to the very top. The Tower took almost 200 years to build and the stairs have wear on them from 2 centuries of use. So much history and just a beautiful building to look at. The view from the very top was stunning. Loved it.”
How to Get Inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
While you can take photos and videos from outside the Leaning Tower of Pisa, you should enter the building and experience a different perspective.
You need tickets to enter the Tower. Make sure your tickets include the stair climb while making your purchase.
Buying tickets in advance is recommended as only 45 people can enter the Tower at once for 30-minutes. There is a long waiting time because of this limitation, which you can avoid if you know your entry time in advance.
Contents
FAQs
Can you go inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
You will require a Leaning Tower of Pisa entry ticket to enter the Tower. You must leave your items in the free lockers after purchasing your ticket.
Is the Leaning Tower of Pisa hollow?
Yes, the Leaning Tower has a hollow core with two surrounding walls – an inner core and an outer facade. While not initially intended for stability, this unique double-wall design has helped the Tower maintain its structural integrity over the centuries.
What can you see from the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
The reward for conquering the climb is a breathtaking panoramic view of Pisa.
The Piazza dei Miracoli unfolds beneath you, showcasing the Cathedral, Baptistery, Camposanto, and the Arno River snaking through the city. On a clear day, you might even catch a glimpse of the Tuscan hills.
Are there any restrictions on what you can bring inside the Leaning Tower?
Due to limited space, large bags, backpacks, and luggage are not permitted.
Lockers are available near the entrance to store your belongings.
How long does it take to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
Each visit inside the Tower lasts for a strict 30 minutes. Visitors must make the most of their time inside the Tower.
Is it worth going inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa Italy?
Visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa is genuinely worthwhile. It’s enjoyable to take photos in front of the Tower, see the lean with our eyes, and enjoy Tuscany’s beauty.
