6) The Eiffel Tower has to be repainted every 7 years.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa From 2B

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a medieval structure in Pisa, Italy, that is famous for the settling of its foundations, which by the late 20th century had caused it to lean about 15 feet (4.5 metres) from the perpendicular.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa Facts

1) Construction took place between 1173 and 1399 Pisa is part of the

Cathedral Complex

2) Over 800 Years of history

3) Pisa Tower was not leaning originally

4) Galileo Galilei used it for experiments

5) Benito Mussolini ruined it

6) Pisa Survived four earthquakes

7) Pisa is not the only leaning tower

The Acropolis in Athens was a fortress and military base during the Neolithic period, due to its position which offers a great view of the land and the sea.

During the Mycenaean times, it became a religious center, dedicated to the worship of the goddess Athena.

It is said that the place was declared a province only to the gods by an oracle, and therefore stopped being inhabited by the people.

The three temples of major importance, the Parthenon, the Erechteion and the Temple of Nike, were erected during the classical period (450-330 B.C.) on the remains of earlier temples.

All three of them are dedicated to different aspects of the Goddess Athena. The Persians destroyed some parts the Acropolis during the battle of Salamina in 480 B.C.

The founder of the Athenian democracy, Pericles, was the one who rebuilt it under the form it has kept until today.

He made it into a city of Temples, and, as everything else created at that period, turned it to the ultimate achievement in terms of classical Greek architecture and sculpting.

The Acropolis in Athens has, since then, been through a lot, and its remains reflect each and every period of the city.

During the early Christian times, the Parthenon was turned into a church dedicated to Agia Sofia, while the domination of the Franks in 1205 turned the hill into a fortress and residence for the noble Franks. At that time, the Parthenon was a Catholic Church named Our Lady of Athens.

The Ottoman occupation of the 15th century turned the building into a mosque. When Greece finally became independent from the Turkish occupation, the conservation of the monuments became a task of major importance, and it has remained so until today.

I hope you had fun learning about the continent of Europe. In our next lesson we are going to explore the continent of South America.