Among Italy’s best-known and best-loved buildings is one that looks like it is going to fall over at any moment. However, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, a symbol of medieval persistence, is now over eight hundred years old.

　　It was built as the bell tower for a nearby cathedral, and its first stone was put in place on August 9,1173. because its foundations were laid in soft soil, it began leaning while still being built. Work stopped at the third floor, but started again at least twice, and the tower was finally completed around 1350.

　　Although its lean looks alarming, the tower is not going to fall over yet. Efforts to save this unusual building continue, and it is expected to be popular with tourists for many years to come.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　—by Martin Kelly

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　不倒塔，几时倒？

　　意大利最著名、最受喜爱的建筑物之一是看起来好像随时会倒塌的比萨斜塔。然而有着800多年历史的比萨斜塔却是中世纪延续的象征。
　　比萨斜塔是为了附近的一座大教堂而建的钟塔，于1173年8月9日破土动工。由于地基土质松软，比萨斜塔在建造时就开始倾斜。施工进行到第三层楼时曾停工，后来至少又再次动工了两次。最后，这坐塔终于在1350年完工。
　　尽管斜塔看起来令人担忧，但它目前尚未倒塌。而维护这座奇特建筑的工作仍持续着，因为大家都希望比萨斜塔在多年以后依然能受到游客的欢迎。

Notes:
1. lean v.倾斜
2. medieval adj.中世纪的
3. persistence n. 存留
4. cathedral n. 大教堂
5. foundation n. 地基

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　摘自空中美语