Pisa, Straight Tower

We are sure you have heard the old chestnut that even a stopped clock tells the correct time twice a day. Likewise, even a leaning tower is straight when viewed from two points on a compass. We can assure you that when viewed from the two proper azimuths, the tower looks straight, but if the camera is held at an (im)proper angle the tower looks straight in a photo taken from any point on the compass.

And to tell the truth, I don’t remember if the camera was held at an angle, or the tower was viewed from the prime azimuth, when this photo was taken. Well, maybe it was a lucky attempt for a tricky camera shot.

In this photo, taken during our visit in 1995, scaffolding around the base of the tower was being used during the restoration effort to stop the persistent leaning of the tower. After 11 years, 11 months of repairs, as of December 15, 2001, The Leaning Tower of Pisa was again open to the public.