Work on the ground floor of the …

Years: 1178 - 1178

Work on the ground floor of the white marble Romanesque-style arcaded, cylindrical bell tower of the cathedral of Pisa had begun on August 14, 1173, during a period of military success and prosperity.

This ground floor is a blind arcade articulated by engaged columns with classical Corinthian capitals.

The tower begins to sink after construction has progressed to the second floor in 1178.

This is due to a mere three-meter foundation, set in weak, unstable subsoil, a design that is flawed from the beginning.

Construction is subsequently halted for almost a century, because the Republic of Pisa will be almost continually engaged in battles with Genoa, Lucca, and Florence.

This will allow time for the underlying soil to settle.

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