The Vision
In the first quarter of the year of 1173,
the leaders of the most powerful city-state in Italy, Pisa, gathered with financial
advisors, artisans, architects, and engineers to discuss plans to construct a
one-of-a-kind monument befitting their affluence and undisputed leadership position
in the post Roman Empire era. After a number of brain storming sessions, they
decided that the project would be La Torre di Pisa — a forty-five foot diameter
white marble bell tower of 207 columns, projected to stand some eight stories
high. This opulent edifice would stand as the centerpiece of the Piazza dei Miracoli,
and would serve as an ostentatious expression of Pisa's supremacy — financially,
technologically, and artistically — over all potential contenders within the
vast Italian empire.
Excited by the prospect of such a challenge
to their engineering and design abilities, championed and generously funded by
an enthusiastic government, and driven by the prospect of public recognition
for executing such a crowning achievement, the organizing team quickly hired
builders and broke ground on August 9th, 1173. They purchased only
the best marble. They hired the most creative architects. They recruited highly
skilled masons. And they brought to bear all of the most modern technology of
their day. This project was to be a benchmark of Pisan innovation and technological
prowess. With the eyes of the world on it, and the reputation of an entire city-state
resting on its success, this project could not fail.
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Introduction
