Sept 19 - Lucca (Day trip to Pisa)

 Sept 19 - Lucca (Day trip to Pisa)

After visiting with the nieces not that long ago Pisa had been left off of our original itinerary.  However, over the last few days we both decided that you can’t really be this close and NOT visit! (I think I said the same about Venice! 🙂)  So, after only a 30 minute train journey and a short walk across town, here we were back in the ‘Campo dei Miracoli’, the ‘Field of Miracles’ (apparently named because the Leaning Tower seems to defy the laws of physics). 


What must be one of the most recognised architectural complexes in the world, this walled 20 acre site consists of the Leaning Tower, the Duomo, the Baptistry, and the Monumental Cemetery, however it’s also known as an important centre of medieval art. 


The start of our day was to the ‘Camposanto Vecchio’, the ‘Old Cemetery’.  This walled cemetery is said to have been built on 53 shiploads of soil brought back from Jerusalem by the Archbishop of Pisa in the 12th century, and so this is where the name ‘Camposanto’, ‘Holy Field’, originates from.  Unfortunately for us so much of the interior of the building is presently covered up for restoration.  It is however quite interesting watching the restorers slowly bringing the frescoes ‘back to life’!   

Our next stop was to the Baptistery.  Completed in the 14th century, this is where Galileo was baptised.  The largest baptistery in Italy, its beautifully decorative on the outside but the interior  is pretty austere, although architecturally it’s still very impressive.  This is another building here that’s being renovated, however this time no scaffolding, only ‘mountaineers’!

After the Baptistery it was our time for the Tower (it’s a time entry).  Built in 3 stages, and over nearly 200 years, it was finally completed in 1319, although with the upper floors having one side taller than the other to compensate for the ‘lean’.  This ‘lean’, 4 degrees apparently, was interesting on the walk up as, depending on what side of the tower you happened to be, gravity either sent you into the middle or outwards to the outer wall.  Once at the top though there were some great views of the Duomo.  Must admit though the ‘lean’ made for an ‘interesting’ experience when walking towards the edge 😳 🙏 😊


The last place to visit on our trip was to the beautiful ‘Duomo’, the ‘Cathedral’.   This building is absolutely stunning, particularly its white and grey marble facade with its tiers of columns and arches.  We’ve whinged previously about cities that have encroached upon some beautiful cathedrals but that’s absolutely no problem here, this is a stunning building from all angles. It’s not a bad building on the inside either.  With some lovely mosaics and a magnificent pulpit as well it’s pretty impressive. 



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