Although the tower is famous because it leans, it is an outstanding example of Romanesque architecture and would be famous even without its unique feature. It is 187 feet high and until 1990 was leaning over at about a 10 degree angle, about 17 feet further than originally intended. In 1772 a wealthy widow name Berta di Bernardo left sixty coins in her will to buy stones to begin construction. The actual designer cannot be determined definitely but construction began in August 1173 and was completed in 1350. The fact that the people of Pisa were involved in many wars during this time was the main reason for the extended building period.