Pisa was crowded, like most of the towns we visited in Italy, but the area around the tower and duomo were quite peaceful, even with tons of tourists. We were able to get tickets to climb the tower and only had to wait 45 minutes before our allotted time. Just enough time to check out the acoustically beautiful baptistery. The baptistery is designed in such a way that a single person can sing harmony with themselves. This is demonstrated every half hour.
Yar, there be pirates buried here...
In the last few years they have managed to right the tower to be equivalent to how much in leaned while Galileo was living. It involved digging out under the higher side, so it would sink down, and other architectural modifications that I tried not to think about while climbing the stairs. They only allow 40 people in the tower at any one time and no bags, purses or backpacks allowed. Climbing the stairs was a lesson in physics and mental trickery. You knew you were climbing stairs up but felt propelled downhill on one side, and the other side was an intense uphill climb without a handrail. There were many "Dios mios!" uttered behind me. The view from the top was spectacular.
Baptistery and Duomo behind us.
The climb down was another lesson in trying not to slip on polished marble stairs while unable to control your momentum. Fun!
The Duomo, while possibly one of the most crowded cathedrals we visited, was also one of the most peaceful.
We finished out our Pisa adventure with one of the most delicious dinners we had, along with the first, of many, limoncellos.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment