The Leaning Tower of Pisa (Italian: Torre pendente di Pisa [ˈtorre penˈdɛnte di ˈpiːza, - ˈpiːsa], or simply the Tower of Pisa (Torre di Pisa), is the campanile, or freestanding bell tower, of Pisa Cathedral. It is known for its nearly four-degree lean, resulting from an unstable foundation. The tower is one of three structures in Pisa's Cathedral Square (Piazza del Duomo), which includes the cathedral and Pisa Baptistry.<br /><br />The height of the tower is 55.86 meters (183 feet 3 inches) from the ground on the low side and 56.67 m (185 ft 11 in) on the high side. The width of the walls at the base is 2.44 m (8 ft 0 in). Its weight is estimated at 14,500 tones (16,000 short tons). The tower has 296 or 294 steps; the seventh floor has two fewer steps on the north-facing staircase.<br /><br />Thanks to Google Earth Studio for this amazing aerial view.
