The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most recognizable monuments in the world, but its fame began with a construction problem. The tower was not designed to lean. Its inclination appeared during the building process, caused by weak ground beneath a shallow foundation.
Built as the freestanding bell tower of Pisa Cathedral, the monument stands in Piazza del Duomo, also known as Piazza dei Miracoli. Construction began in 1173, and the tower was completed in the 14th century, after interruptions, corrections, structural problems, and long pauses caused partly by war.
