Pisa
Undoubtedly the leaning tower is the main attraction of this Tuscan city, however look beyond this tourist icon as the region has a lot more to offer. Pisa is halved by the elegant 16th Century palaces along the banks of the Arno, the river that also runs through Florence. Behind this impressive façade are hidden a maze of narrow streets and alleys, home to a selection of good shops, cafes and restaurants. This makes for a relaxing day, whether it be a spot of shopping, a leisurely lunch or a visit to one of the museums.
The leaning tower draws tourists like a magnet, many of them pausing to appreciate the religious architecture, others in curiosity. Pisa’s foremost monuments gather together in the Campo dei Miracoli (The field of Miracles), a remarkable expanse of meadow in the city’s north western corner and represents the most important example of Pisan Romanesque style. Few medieval groupings are as beautiful and few so beautifully framed by their surroundings. They key component is the Campanile, better known as the Leaning Tower. Begun in 1173 the tower started to lean almost immediately as a result of the area’s sandy foundations. Many architects toiled over this engineering dilemma, all with little success until, in 2001 a solution was found. After more than a decade of being covered in scaffolding, the landmark is once again open to the public. The secret to enjoying the famous tower is to arrive in the early morning before the hoards of tourists and secondly as the temperatures can be quite intense during the summer months. The 17th June is a special event in Pisa when the Regata of San Ranieri, an old contest is held on the Arno river. Brilliantly decorated boats cover the river followed by a costumed procession. The competition is between the boats representing the city’s four districts. The evening before the contest, the districts are dramatically lit by little oil lamps, a stunning sight to be seen as the sun sets. The areas surrounding Pisa flourish with vineyards, olive groves and the famous sun flower fields, photos of which often are seen in travel guides. The beautiful hillsides scattered with many medieval villages create a countryside perfect for walking and present a relaxed atmosphere for the tourist. This is a beautiful city and area to visit, if only for a few hours, and is definitely worth fitting into your itinerary.
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