Final answer:
The bell towers of Italian cathedrals, like those at Florence and Pisa, are different from their Northern European counterparts because they incorporated both ancient allusions and innovative forms that reflected the unique regional and civic qualities of each city.
Step-by-step explanation:
The bell towers of Italian cathedrals, like those at Florence and Pisa, are different from their Northern European counterparts because they incorporated both ancient allusions and innovative forms that reflected the unique regional and civic qualities of each city. For example, the Pisa cathedral complex was situated outside the city walls in a grassy precinct that incorporated an ancient cemetery.
The damp soil contributed to unstable ground, causing the famous leaning tower. The architecture of the Pisa Cathedral, like San Miniato in Florence, also borrowed heavily from the architectural past, incorporating elements of old Roman basilicas and early Byzantine basilicas. On the other hand, Northern European bell towers, like the ones in Milan, focused on Gothic characteristics such as pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses.