Pisa

June 29, 2015

After 48 hours we have arrived in Pisa, Italy; Kathy takes a moment to relax and let the feeling creep inside.

Pisa is a city in Tuscany, Central Italy, on the right bank of the mouth of the River Arno on the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Pisa. Although Pisa is known worldwide for its leaning tower, the city of over 89,373 residents contains more than 20 other historic churches, several palaces and various bridges across the River Arno.

Pisa draws its fame to an architectural project gone wrong. Tradition has it that you have your photo trying to hold it up.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa or simply the Tower of Pisa is the campanile, or freestanding bell tower, of the cathedral of the Italian city of Pisa, known worldwide for its unintended tilt to one side. It is situated behind the Cathedral and is the third oldest structure in Pisa's Cathedral Square after the Cathedral and the Baptistry.

The Cathedral was consecrated in the year 1118, even though still incomplete, by Pope Gelasio II. It was terminated in the 13th century, with the erection of the façade, unchanged up to today.

The painted ceiling are a marvel to look upon.

The union of sisters, Carmine and Maria, Kathy and Sueann here in Italy has been a dream come true!

And yes, we definitely held up the tower!

A few years back the foundation of the tower was stabilized, but it still tilts.

For a brief idea of its dimensions, the Cathedral is about one hundred meters long and 54 meters high. The façade is 35,40 mts wide. It is 34,20 mts high, hence both imposing and of an ingenious and grandiose conception. The façade of The Cathedral is articulated in five orders of arches, the inferior of which has seven blind arches; the two lateral gates, and one central gate, are separated by columns and pilasters.

Italy's largest baptistery (54.86m tall and 104m in circumference), the Battistero di San Giovanni is also slightly taller than the Leaning Tower across the square. As it shares the same unstable ground as the tower, the baptistery also has a slight lean of 0.6 degrees towards the cathedral.

The Camposanto Monumental Cemetery was constructed in 1278 to house the sacred dirt brought back from Golgotha during the Crusades. It then became the burial place of the Pisan upper class.

The tall bronze doors leading into Pisa Italy's beautiful old Cathedral (Duomo) feature a series of religious paintings depicting the life of Christ.

We found the shade of the Duomo during the heat of the day to be a resting place.

At 3pm it was free to enter the Cathedral; at other times you needed to have a ticket.

Inside is amazing!

We spent time walking around and sitting just enjoying the view.

Maria and Bob's wife, Sue, went up the tower; they are up there somewhere. We know because Maria could be heard yelling down for Cliff to take her picture. Back about forty years ago Kathy was here with her parents and she climbed up there and yelled down to them so she could take their pictures!