The symbolic imagery of tourists holding the tilt of Italy's leaning tower of Pisa while posing for photographs may not remain as pose-worthy in the times to come.

Because the leaning tower of Pisa is losing its tilt. The site holds a remarkable significance for the fact that at the end of the sixteenth century

However, history buffs and architectural experts are always concerned about the safety of the iconic monument.

But after witnessing nearly centuries-long developments in science, history and archaeology, the tower is losing its tilt due to stabilisation works. Slowly but steadily, it's moving upright.

An 11-year stabilisation project reduced the tower's lean by 15 inches by 2001, and in the 21 years since, the tower has straightened itself by another 1.6 inches , according to a study funded by the preservation organisation Opera Primaziale della Pisana .

The mediaeval bell tower, a symbol of the power of the maritime republic of Pisa in the Middle Ages, has leaned to one side ever since construction started in 1173 on ground that proved a little too soft.

The build wasn't completed until 1319 due to various battles between Pisa and Genoa, Lucca and Florence, but these pauses did give the underlying soil time to settle.

Over the ensuing eight hundred years, it became evident that the 55-meter tower was not only learning, but also declinating at a pace of one to two millimetres annually.