Il Tirreno Giornale (PISA, Italia, Friday 16 June 2000 ) Tomorrow Students Climb the Tower
PISA. Tomorrow, the festival of St. Ranieri, patron of the city, the count begins to reopen the the Tower. The work of the definitive subexcavation for consolidation, initiated at the start of 2000, turned to the definitive stabilization of the Tower, are coming along well. And finally, in light of the work, one of the most recognized monuments in the world will be out of danger for two or three more centuries. The inclination reported for the bell tower, that had aroused so much concern, determined the closing to the public of the city's symbol. It has already decreased by 13 centimeters from the beginning of the work. Another three centimeters had been recovered from the 1996 and 1997 labors.
The technicians are putting all efforts in place, and the results are beginning to show. When the Tower, restored to health, is redelivered to the citizens, in the 2001, the inclination of the bell tower will have decreased completely by 42 centimeters, the position it enjoyed three centuries ago.
Today, the eve of St. Ranieri, at 5PM, in the reception room of the palace of the Primaziale, in Piazza dei Miracoli, there will be a press conference with presentations by mayor Paolo Fontanelli, by the minister of the public work, Nerio Nesi; by the president of the Work of the Primaziale, Pierfrancesco Pacini, and by professor Michele Jamiolkowski, coordinator of the committee for the safeguard of the Tower. It is a point four months from the beginning of the definitive subexcavation. Guest of honor of the event will be Carla Fracci. With her, the minister, the authorities and the journalists, accompanied by guides of distinction, will visit the workyard and then on up the 293 stairs, up to the bell cell, an occasion for the press to take photos again, after ten years, and rediscover the bell tower. Tomorrow, on the fetival of St. Ranieri, and only for this day, the yard will be opened to a small group of students.
The Tower is lit up today for the festival with the minister
Translated by Gary Feuerstein, 2 July 2000, from the Il Tirreno article
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