The Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy might lose its claim to fame…in a couple thousand years. The tower known worldwide for its iconic tilt has actually been straightening out over the past two decades. It’s now leaning about an inch-and-a-half less than it was 20 years ago.
Concerns over the tower eventually collapsing have always been prevalent. The tower started tilting almost immediately after its construction in 1173, though it hasn’t actually been in danger of collapse until 1990, when it was closed for 11 years for restoration. The project included attaching braces and weights to the structure, as well as removing soil from one side, to encourage straightening. Now, however, it’s projected to become so stable, its famous tilt may look slightly less dramatic.
