Pisa 10 June

We took the train to Pisa to meet Jenny and David. Along the way we passed Carrara on the edge of the Apuane Alps. Looks like snow, but no this is where they mine marble. It was here Michelangelo went to choose the marble for his sculptures, including David.

 

First stop in Pisa was the Leaning Tower in the Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles). Construction work began in 1172. It is leaning almost five metres south and it was hard work trying to hold it up all evening.

 

Gave up and hoping for the best, we climbed to the top. The great view was worth it’s balance problems.

On the top with David and Jenny.

 

The nave of the Duomo on The Field of Miracles. The striped marble arches on the tall granite columns reminded us a bit of a mosque.

 

The amazing 14th century octoganal pulpit is by Giovanni Pisano, carved out of Carrara marble.

 

The Virgin and child.

 

The Tower by moonlight. It seems to straighten up at night!

 

Back again next morning and Jenny takes her share of the load.

 

The Baptistery is the biggest in Italy. As all the ground in the area is unstable, the Baptistery also leans,  almost two metres.

 

 Looking over the marble octoganal font where adults are baptised by immersion and babies are dunked in the four little wells. The impressive acoustics have a long reverberation time, as demonstrated by a singing guard.

 

 

View of the Tower and Duomo from the Baptistery.

 

The Three Wise Monkeys at the base of the pulpit.

 

The Composanto Cemetery, dating from the 12th century.

 

 

This is part of the 1340 allegorical fresco The Triumph of Death. The knight and lady are overwhelmed by the stench of an open grave.

 

The sgraffito covered Palazzo dei Cavalieri, designed by Vasari, is part of the university based around the Piazza Dei Cavalieri. It is one of Europes oldest university's and Professors have included Galileo. Students have included Andrea Bocelli.

On the other side of the Piazza is Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri is the knight's church, also designed by Vasari.

 

The River Arno flows through Pisa as well as Florence.