It was a short pleasant drive to Pisa over more bridges and tunnels. The hills are terraced for agriculture. As we approached the Pisa exit the surrounding area was flatter with the steep hills receding in the distance.

Even though it is a Thursday it is pretty busy in Pisa but we were able to get tickets for today for the tower. The tower is actually 1 of 4 buildings on the Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles). Construction on the buildings began in the 12 century. This square is important for its architecture and its medieval art. The Cathedral is most impressive and has some beautiful works of art. It is a combination of original and restored areas. The ceiling was destroyed in a fire in 1595 but the replacement is magnificent. The Baptistery is another of the buildings. It is in a direct line to the Cathedral so that as new members of the church were baptized they had a direct walk to the Cathedral. It took almost 200 years to complete. The architecture is quite impressive. The first tier is Romanesque but the top portion is Gothic style. It’s simplicity lends to its beauty. In the center is an octagonal shaped baptism fountain where adults were baptized by immersion. The acoustics are incredible!! We were treated to listening to someone seeing a few notes that just resonated through the whole Baptistery.

Our first view of the tower as we entered the square was of it leaning out behind the cathedral. It looked as of it was trying to peek around the Cathedral. The full view of it is very impressive. Its purpose was to house the bells for the Cathedral. It took over 200 years to complete because it immediately started sinking, financial problems and wars. It was built in sections as architects tried to avoid the leaning. The lower sections were completed and then finally the bell tower with 7 bells was added years later. It has 250 marble steps to the bells. Happily we were able to climb up to the bell top. The views of the city are wonderful. (To your left you see Peggy eating pizza in front of the Leaning Tower of Pizza).

The Composanto Monumentale is the 4th monument built in 1278 around sacred soil brought by Crusaders from Calvary in Jerusalem. It was built over a former burial site and has some Roman sarcophagi and wonderful frescoes. The cemetery suffered serious damage in a bombing in 1944. The monument has been undergoing restoration since 1945 and while there is still much to do, especially restoring the frescoes that line the walls, much has been done and it is well worth spending the time.

After our sightseeing we went to our hotel which we reserved through the information center. We were able to easily find the hotel however the parking area behind it was another story. Fortunately, the hotel receptionist correctly interpreted Peggy’s blank looks when he was giving directions (in excellent English) while Wayne waited in the car. There was no way we could get to the parking lot from where we were due to the one way streets, so we had to cross the river and come back again. (The car was located at the hotel entrance which is beyond the parking entrance on a one way street.) Then there were a series of turns down alley like streets and through a small plaza. We would probably still be in that maze if it hadn’t been for the employee in the front seat directing. It was well worth it. The hotel is quite charming, the accommodations are elegant and the personnel are extremely gracious. The hotel is in a very historic building that, according to the literature, dates back to 1050 AD and is the oldest hotel in Italy.
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Now for a good sleep while our next adventure awaits us.

Ciao,
Wayne & Peggy