This morning we would again board or coach for a drive to Pisa, Italy. Upon arrival in Pisa, our coach went to the huge parking lot they have for coaches. We were traveling before the busy season, so there was plenty of parking for him. We need to get to the Piazza dei Miracoli formally known as Piazza del Duomo. Rather than have us weary travelers' hike across the city, we would board this lovely little train. Our group would fill it to the brim. It would carry us through the streets of Pisa to our destination. It was a delight.
These are our first views of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Piazza dei Miracoli has four masterpieces of medieval architecture – the cathedral, the baptistery, the bell tower (the 'Leaning Tower') and the cemetery – were erected between the 11th and 14th centuries within close proximity of each other, forming a unique cluster of monuments. We would enter the first three. We did not walk through the cemetery.
Our guide had us walk around this grassy courtyard on the right as she told us the history of the Bell Tower (Leaning Tower) and let us see it from different angles. Contrary to popular belief, the Tower just didn’t lean over time – it started leaning soon after construction started. Construction on the Tower started in 1173. This landmark was initially intended to be a bell tower for a cathedral, but constant construction interruptions due to wars, financial struggles, and engineering issues hampered the Tower’s progress. The soft ground under the Tower quickly presented a problem. The lean continued to become more prominent, and ongoing stabilization efforts began. Architects and builders started adding weight to the opposite side of the Tower, as well as digging channels around the base to help with soil drainage. Extensive restoration efforts were completed in 2001, and the Tower reopened to the public soon after. While the Tower is safe, a limited number of visitors are allowed at a time.
Pisa Cathedral.
To the right and above a bit of the Opera della Primaziale, is a wall. This is the original wall around Pisa.
This is perhaps my favorite view of the Leaning Tower of Pisa (Bell Tower). Our guide shared that they built the first three stories, maybe four, then they tried to compensate for the lean by making the columns longer on the sinking side of the tower. If you look closely, you can see that the top of the tower is actually built leaning into the side we are viewing, again, to try and compensate. It did not work. Also, note the artwork to the left of the tower. It is Lupa Capitolina. The artwork is a scene from the legend of the founding of Rome. The sculpture shows a she-wolf suckling the mythical twin founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus.
The work of art on the grass is Angelo Caduto or Fallen Angel symbolizes the frailty of human life and the fine line between life and death.
All the columns on the cathedral are different.
Sandi and Claude. Then Claude trying to hold up the tower.
Our tickets would allow us to climb the tower. There are marble stairs spiraling up the inside of the tower to the top. We opted to enter and stay on the first level, not climb the stairs. These pictures are of the inside of the Leaning Tower on the first level.
Metal support rod from the bottom to the top. The orange piece of equipment measures any change in the lean of the Tower. There are other sensort on the walls as well.
Claude took this picture of the floor to try and show the lean you could feel in the floor.
The marble wall on the outside edge of the Tower shows the lean by the changes in the shape and size of the stones.
I asked several in our group who did climb to the top what it felt like. They expressed the same sentiment. It is dizzying and disorienting as you climb those marble steps as you can clearly see and feel the lean while walking in circles. The top was not as bad although you were still very aware of the learn. Those in our group with vertigo simply felt all that by look at the tower or walking around the outside.
There was a graduating class. Each graduate work a garland on their head. The girls garlands also included flowers.
A group of monks were visiting as well. I didn't quite get them all positioned to hold up the leaning tower. It is definitely a must have photo op...even for monks!
We would visit the baptistry after everyone had their turn at climbing the Leaning Tower. The Baptistery’s extradordinary exterior is reminiscent of a crown. It is the largest baptistery in Italy and was built prior to the Leaning Tower. While not as pronounced as the Tower, the Baptistery also has a slight lean. The artistic centerpiece is a carved marble pulpit by Nicola Pisano depicting Mary in various phases.
While we were in the Baptistry, a worker came in a did some chanting so we could hear the acoustics in the building. It sounded like when the Oldham County High School Band played in the Rotunda of the Kentucky State Capitol. The sound rolls and rolls around. I remember distinctly how interesting it was for the kids to play with the sound continuing long after they finished playing a note.
Camposanto Monumentale, also known as Campo Santo – which translates to “holy field” – this historical edifice is located in Cathedral Square. According to local legend, Campo Santo is built on sacred soil shipped from Golgotha in the 12th century. This incredible cemetery embodies Gothic architecture with large columns and archways spread across its oblong structure. We didn't enter this area but I looked it up on the Internet. It was very beautiful.
The Pisa Cathedral is a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture. The detailed, elaborate exterior is a sight to behold, and the reflective, awe-inspiring interior includes gold accents. The cathedral’s golden ceiling is an impressive piece of art, added during the 16th century under Medici rule.
This chandelier is what Galileo saw moving and it started him wondering if the world was spinning as there was no breeze in the Cathedral.
Our Christmas ornament from Pisa.
We rode the train back to the coach parking, boarded our coach and headed to Lucca. This drive was a highlight of our trip for me. We spent a lot of time seeing historic things, amazing artwork, religiously important things. This drive was in a gentle rain through Italy's Tuscany region. Luigi put on Andrea Bocelli singing beautiful Italian songs. Calming, soothing music. I felt like I was really in Italy. The real Italy. I videoed a bit of the drive with Andrea Bocelli singing but the video is too large for the Blog to add. Ugh. It is on my Facebook page.
And then we were at Lucca. There is a strong rivalry between Lucca and Pisa. Our guide in Lucca assured us we should skip Pisa and only come to Lucca.
The entire City Wall in still in place in Lucca. It is wide enough that it is considered a park for the city. It reminded me of the City Wall in Xian, China.
City Gate of the City Wall of Lucca.
We would climb the stairs to the top of the City Wall.
Our guide said she took her driver's test on the wall in the 1990's. Today people use it to walk, run and ride bikes. It is really a park for the city of Lucca.
We would walk through the walled city of Lucca.
A piazza in Lucca.
There is a shortage of priests for all the 5 churches within the City Wall. This church is now used for concerts.
Cathedral of San Martino. Lucca Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours in Lucca, Italy. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Lucca. Construction was begun in 1063 by Bishop Anselm.
The mosaic floors in these cathedrals looks like carpet.
The Holy Face of Lucca (Italian: Volto Santo di Lucca) is an eight-foot-tall, ancient wooden carving of Jesus crucified. Medieval legends state that it was sculpted by Nicodemus who assisted St. Joseph of Arimathea in placing Christ in his tomb after the crucifixion. The same legends placed its miraculous arrival in Lucca to AD 782. This crucifixion statue is currently undergoing restoration work in the alcove in the Lucca Cathedral.
Ilaria del Carretto’s tomb. Her husband, Paolo Guinigi, was an influential Lucca politician. She died very young as a consequence of childbirth.
Labyrinth on the outside column.
Walk to Piazza dell'Anfiteatro.
Statue in front of the School of Music.
Bell Tower with trees on top.
Piazza dell'Anfiteatro. This was simply cool. It was originally a second century amphitheater. Gladiator shows and games were traditionally held here. It has been repurposed as apartment around a piazza with shops. We enjoyed some welcome gelato relief here.
You can clearly see the curved outer wall of the original amphitheater.
Back to Florence our coach would take us. Time to pack up for the road trip to Venice.
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