Civic Tower, Medieval bell tower in Pavia, Italy
Description
Civic Tower was a medieval bell tower in Pavia reaching 72 meters (236 feet) in height. Its thick walls combined Roman brick masonry with ancient concrete made from lime mortar and river gravel.
History
Construction began during the 11th century and reached its final form only in 1598. On March 17, 1989, it suddenly collapsed, causing four deaths and fifteen injuries.
Culture
The name "Civic Tower" reflected its role as a public timekeeper for the city rather than a private or religious structure. Merchants and craftspeople relied on its bell to regulate their working day.
Practical
Remains of the collapsed structure are now on display at Castello Visconteo. A memorial plaque near the cathedral shows how it looked before its collapse.
Did you know?
The sudden collapse in 1989 prompted Italian authorities to temporarily close the Leaning Tower of Pisa for safety reasons. This measure led to widespread inspections of other historical towers across the country.
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