Pisa Daytrip Directions, Luggage Storage, Leaning Tower Climbing Info.
Mar 22nd, 2003, 12:04 PM
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Pisa Daytrip Directions, Luggage Storage, Leaning Tower Climbing Info.
Personally I like Pisa, I spent 3 days there in March '01. It's a vibrant university town with a glorious past. Many say to skip it or just see the Leaning Tower and leave. But I think the it's worth a daytrip at least to see the Duomo, Baptistry, Campanile, Camposanto and the museums. Regards, Walter <BR>These are directions from the Pisa Centrale Station although I've heard that the smaller Pisa S. Rossore Station is closer (5 min walk). Which if you're daytripping from Florence or Lucca (thx crazymina for that info) might be a better option. The Centrale Station is roughly 1.8km South of the Campo dei Miracoli (Piazza del Duomo) where the "Leaning Tower" is located
. The train station and Piazza are connected by a bus route but the walk is only ~25min. <BR> The Leaning Tower has turned one side of the street flanking the Piazza into a long row of tacky souvenir stalls. But just turn your back on them and you have a lovely piazza with a beautiful cathedral, baptistery and a campanile that just happens to lean. To climb the Tower you need a reservation, you can try to book when you arrive for a later time but only 30 people are allowed in each group which in March '03 was every hour. Or you can prebook online at www.opapisa.it/boxoffice/ <BR> There are 5 sites at the Piazza that require admission, a combo ticket for all 5 is ?15 and they have other lesser combo tickets available (Duomo (cathedral), Baptistery, Camposanto, "Museo dell' Opera del Duomo", "Museo delle Sinopie"
.<BR>
. The train station and Piazza are connected by a bus route but the walk is only ~25min. <BR> The Leaning Tower has turned one side of the street flanking the Piazza into a long row of tacky souvenir stalls. But just turn your back on them and you have a lovely piazza with a beautiful cathedral, baptistery and a campanile that just happens to lean. To climb the Tower you need a reservation, you can try to book when you arrive for a later time but only 30 people are allowed in each group which in March '03 was every hour. Or you can prebook online at www.opapisa.it/boxoffice/ <BR> There are 5 sites at the Piazza that require admission, a combo ticket for all 5 is ?15 and they have other lesser combo tickets available (Duomo (cathedral), Baptistery, Camposanto, "Museo dell' Opera del Duomo", "Museo delle Sinopie".<BR>
Mar 22nd, 2003, 12:06 PM
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PISA CENTRALE STATION: <BR> Luggage storage (Deposito Bagagli) is manned (0600-2200) and just recently opened, the self-storage lockers are still closed. On arrival don't enter the station but turn right and walk down Track 1, it's in a open hallway past the closed lockers. <BR> When you enter the station there is a Tabacchi on the right and a newstand on the left that both sell bus tickets (?0.80, buy 2. Walk out of the station and look 45deg to the right and walk over to that lamp post ~40m away. You will see the bus sign for the "A" bus line (an A within a pink circle), which will also list your stop "Piazza Miracoli Museo Opera" (in yellow). <BR> Your bus will have an "A" on the back and over the front entrance and in the front will say "NAVETTA "A" Torre Park Pietrasatina". The driver takes a break there so just board and validate your ticket. Your stop could sneak past you if you're not watching or standing so try and sit on the right side of the bus. Before you get to it you will see a large "red cross sign" and when you get to that you will see the fortress-type wall (~40m away) with the Duomo dome above it. (The return stop is across the street and the bus will be say "NAVETTA "A" Ospedale Stazione FS". <BR> After you enter the Piazza on the right (~125m) you will come across the "Museo delle Sinopie" you can buy your tickets there or at the other end of the Piazza at the "Museo dell' Opera del Duomo" (and possibly at the Camposanto?). <BR> To pick-up your reserved Tower tickets or to make a reservation, walk to the end of the Piazza and turn left. Walking between the Duomo and the Tower you will see a building in front of you. Walk over to it and turn right in 30m you will past the door to a gift shop, next is the ticket office and next is a baggage storage room with free lockers for those (or others climbing the Tower. The lockers are small but will hold a daypack, no bags are allowed on the Tower climb. Outside this door is the meeting point for those climbing the Tower. When walking over to the Tower position yourself within the other 29 people, meaning if you're young or in good physical shape get in the front section of the group, if you older, overweight, been smoking for years you might want to take-up the rear. You will not be rushed and the rear escort is in no hurry to get to the top *again* (that is 1st hand info. <BR> When you get to the bell landing (1 level from the top) you will walk halfway around the Tower on the outside and then climb to the top. There is a steel rail around the edge but there are 4 narrow steps that go longways around the Tower, so it puts you alittle higher up compared to the rail. <BR> I made it about 2 meters and got a major attack of vertigo and couldn't make it around. But the other 29 people had no problem and in time my nail marks where I crawled back to the doorway will fade.<BR>
. Walk out of the station and look 45deg to the right and walk over to that lamp post ~40m away. You will see the bus sign for the "A" bus line (an A within a pink circle), which will also list your stop "Piazza Miracoli Museo Opera" (in yellow). <BR> Your bus will have an "A" on the back and over the front entrance and in the front will say "NAVETTA "A" Torre Park Pietrasatina". The driver takes a break there so just board and validate your ticket. Your stop could sneak past you if you're not watching or standing so try and sit on the right side of the bus. Before you get to it you will see a large "red cross sign" and when you get to that you will see the fortress-type wall (~40m away) with the Duomo dome above it. (The return stop is across the street and the bus will be say "NAVETTA "A" Ospedale Stazione FS". <BR> After you enter the Piazza on the right (~125m) you will come across the "Museo delle Sinopie" you can buy your tickets there or at the other end of the Piazza at the "Museo dell' Opera del Duomo" (and possibly at the Camposanto?). <BR> To pick-up your reserved Tower tickets or to make a reservation, walk to the end of the Piazza and turn left. Walking between the Duomo and the Tower you will see a building in front of you. Walk over to it and turn right in 30m you will past the door to a gift shop, next is the ticket office and next is a baggage storage room with free lockers for those (or others climbing the Tower. The lockers are small but will hold a daypack, no bags are allowed on the Tower climb. Outside this door is the meeting point for those climbing the Tower. When walking over to the Tower position yourself within the other 29 people, meaning if you're young or in good physical shape get in the front section of the group, if you older, overweight, been smoking for years you might want to take-up the rear. You will not be rushed and the rear escort is in no hurry to get to the top *again* (that is 1st hand info. <BR> When you get to the bell landing (1 level from the top) you will walk halfway around the Tower on the outside and then climb to the top. There is a steel rail around the edge but there are 4 narrow steps that go longways around the Tower, so it puts you alittle higher up compared to the rail. <BR> I made it about 2 meters and got a major attack of vertigo and couldn't make it around. But the other 29 people had no problem and in time my nail marks where I crawled back to the doorway will fade.<BR>
Apr 14th, 2003, 11:21 AM
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Hi Stevek: Actually I was positive the "self-service lockers" were still closed but I walked over to see for myself so I could post it in the trip-report. <BR> The lockers weren't signposted or taped-off and as I was looking to see if they still worked (they don't) a man came over and pointed to the left luggage office. I had nothing to check but I watched 4 Japanese tourists check their bags with the attendent, this was last month. Regards, Walter
Jul 1st, 2003, 10:56 AM
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ttt for "profi111".
I also wanted to add a correction to the directions.
I was told by an Italian poster on rec.travel.europe that the train from Florence doesn't stop at the "Pisa S. Rossore Station". But the train from Lucca does. Regards, Walter
I also wanted to add a correction to the directions.
I was told by an Italian poster on rec.travel.europe that the train from Florence doesn't stop at the "Pisa S. Rossore Station". But the train from Lucca does. Regards, Walter
Apr 8th, 2007, 02:34 AM
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[Topping and also adding a rewrite to my original directions. Also hoping anyone with more recent experience can add any changes or info.
A poster *claimed* that the 'A' bus might be listed as something else now but it is still listed on the Pisa website below?
Bottomline is whatever future changes to the bus's number or letter always look at the 'Bus Stop Sign', just look for the 'Piazza Miracoli Museo Opera' listed as a stop and take that bus which is listed on that sign.]
PISA DAYTRIP DIRECTIONS
For the train timetables in English to the 'Pisa Centrale Train Station' (on the timetables it will be listed as 'PISA C.') go to http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html
These are directions from the 'Pisa CENTRALE Station Train Station' from Mar '03.
The Centrale Station is roughly 1.8km/1.1mi south of the 'Campo dei Miracoli' (Piazza del Duomo) where the 'Leaning Tower' is located.
The train station and Piazza are connected by buses but the walk is only ~25min.
The Leaning Tower has turned one side of the street flanking the Piazza into a long row of tacky souvenir stalls.
But just turn your back on them and you have a lovely piazza with a beautiful cathedral, baptistery and a campanile that just happens to lean.
To climb the Tower you need a reservation, you can *try* to book when you arrive for a later time but that's 'hit or miss'.
Better to prebook online and be assured of a spot because only 30 people are allowed in each hourly group.
http://www.opapisa.it/boxoffice/seco...p;m=8&g=15
There are 5 sites in the Piazza that require admission, a combo ticket for all 5 is €15 and they have other lesser combo tickets available.
The sites are the Duomo [cathedral], Baptistery [beautiful round church bldg], Camposanto [large historical bldg which is a cemetery & semi-museum], Museo dell' Opera del Duomo [the site's major museum] and the Museo delle Sinopie [museum of fresco drawings].
PISA CENTRALE TRAIN STATION:
Luggage storage (Deposito Bagagli) is available and manned (0600-2200) at the train station, it opened ~Jan '03. There are NO self-storage lockers, all lockers were closed throughout Italy on Sept 15, '01.
So if you're going to check your luggage; On arrival don't enter the station but turn right and walk down Track 1. On the left you will see an open hallway where it is located and it will be signposted.
This is a one-man operation so if it is closed hang around awhile and try to find someone to ask. The attendant might just be on a break or in the w.c.
When you enter the station there is a Tabacchi (tobacco stand) on the right and a Newstand on the left that both sell bus tickets (€0.80, buy 2 per person, you'll need 1 for the return trip).
There a 3 buses (#2, #3 & A) that will take you to the Leaning Tower's Piazza.
The bus stops are directly across the street.
I know the 'A' bus's stop is right in front of the Hotel Jolly and I assume the #2 & #3 are there also.
These are directions from the website
http://www.opapisa.it/index.php?id=221&L=1&T=2
Now when I went I had no directions so I just walked over to the bus signs in the bus turn-around lot to the right of the station. It was there I found the 'A' bus so my directions are for that bus.
***But you should go over to the Hotel Jolly which is the bus's 1st stop and wait there though.***
Also decide whether to follow my directions for the 'A' bus or take the #2 or #3 bus if one of them comes along 1st.
['A' Bus Directions] Walk out of the station and look 45deg to the right and walk over to that lamp post ~40m away. You will see a 'bus stop sign' for the "A" bus line (an A within a pink circle), which will also list your stop "Piazza Miracoli Museo Opera" (in yellow). Also it's 1st stop is directly across the street from the station (in front of the Hotel Jolly).
So there is a bus stop sign like the one mentioned above there also, these 2 stops are only ~40M apart.
Your bus will have an "A" on the back and over the front entrance and in the front will say "NAVETTA "A" Torre Park Pietrasatina".
The driver takes his break there so just board and VALIDATE your ticket.
The Leaning Tower bus stop could sneak past you if you're not watching so try and sit on the right side of the bus.
After the bus crosses the river the Piazza is ~1.1km away (but this is 'as the crow flies'), your bus route has 'lefts & rights' so it will be alittle longer.
Now before you get to the Piazza's bus stop you will see a large 'red cross sign' on the right and when you get to that you will see a tall fortress-type wall (~40m away-on right) with the Duomo dome above it.
Also look tourists walking around, maybe some mobile souvenir stands nearby?, tour buses? or other tourists on the bus getting off.
The return bus stop is directly across the street and the bus will be say 'NAVETTA "A" Ospedale Stazione FS'.
After you enter the Piazza on the right (~125m) you will come across the 'Museo delle Sinopie' you can buy the regular tickets (Duomo & Museums) there or at the other end of the Piazza at the 'Museo dell' Opera del Duomo'.
To pick-up your reserved Leaning Tower tickets or to make a reservation, walk to the far end of the Piazza and turn left. Walking between the Duomo and the Tower you will see a building in front of you.
Walk over to it and turn right in 30m you will pass the door to a gift shop, next is the ticket office and next is a baggage storage room with free lockers for those climbing the Tower.
The lockers are small but will hold a daypack, no bags or purses/handbags are allowed on the Tower climb.
Outside this door is the meeting point for those climbing the Tower.
When walking over to the Tower position yourself within the other 29 people, meaning if you're young or in good physical shape get in the front section of the group, if you older, overweight, been smoking for years you might want to take-up the rear.
You will not be rushed and the rear escort guide is in no hurry to get back to the top *again* (that is 1st hand info BTW.
When you get to the bell landing (1 level from the top) you will walk halfway around the Tower on the outside and then climb to the top. There is a steel rail around the edge but there are 4 narrow steps that go longways around the Tower.
So your choice is to either walk right alongside the rail or on 1 of the higher steps which puts the rail lower in respect to you.
I made it about 2 meters and got a major attack of vertigo (just like in the Hitchcock film and couldn't make it around.
But the other 29 people had no problem and in time my fingernail marks where I crawled back to the doorway will fade.
Also there is a sign at the meeting point that mentions that people might experience vertigo during the climb.
*Sometimes* in the Baptistry they will shut the doors. A local will then either sing or just hit a hit note.
When he/she stops you would not believe how long that note resonates inside this circular building.
It's amazing, so keep a watch out for this event.
Whatever Italian city you are in, check the souvenir stands for a Pisa guidebook.
This way you will have something to read on the train and you won't hit these sites completely clueless.
A poster *claimed* that the 'A' bus might be listed as something else now but it is still listed on the Pisa website below?
Bottomline is whatever future changes to the bus's number or letter always look at the 'Bus Stop Sign', just look for the 'Piazza Miracoli Museo Opera' listed as a stop and take that bus which is listed on that sign.]
PISA DAYTRIP DIRECTIONS
For the train timetables in English to the 'Pisa Centrale Train Station' (on the timetables it will be listed as 'PISA C.') go to http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html
These are directions from the 'Pisa CENTRALE Station Train Station' from Mar '03.
The Centrale Station is roughly 1.8km/1.1mi south of the 'Campo dei Miracoli' (Piazza del Duomo) where the 'Leaning Tower' is located.
The train station and Piazza are connected by buses but the walk is only ~25min.
The Leaning Tower has turned one side of the street flanking the Piazza into a long row of tacky souvenir stalls.
But just turn your back on them and you have a lovely piazza with a beautiful cathedral, baptistery and a campanile that just happens to lean
. To climb the Tower you need a reservation, you can *try* to book when you arrive for a later time but that's 'hit or miss'.
Better to prebook online and be assured of a spot because only 30 people are allowed in each hourly group.
http://www.opapisa.it/boxoffice/seco...p;m=8&g=15
There are 5 sites in the Piazza that require admission, a combo ticket for all 5 is €15 and they have other lesser combo tickets available.
The sites are the Duomo [cathedral], Baptistery [beautiful round church bldg], Camposanto [large historical bldg which is a cemetery & semi-museum], Museo dell' Opera del Duomo [the site's major museum] and the Museo delle Sinopie [museum of fresco drawings].
PISA CENTRALE TRAIN STATION:
Luggage storage (Deposito Bagagli) is available and manned (0600-2200) at the train station, it opened ~Jan '03. There are NO self-storage lockers, all lockers were closed throughout Italy on Sept 15, '01.
So if you're going to check your luggage; On arrival don't enter the station but turn right and walk down Track 1. On the left you will see an open hallway where it is located and it will be signposted.
This is a one-man operation so if it is closed hang around awhile and try to find someone to ask. The attendant might just be on a break or in the w.c.
When you enter the station there is a Tabacchi (tobacco stand) on the right and a Newstand on the left that both sell bus tickets (€0.80, buy 2 per person, you'll need 1 for the return trip).
There a 3 buses (#2, #3 & A) that will take you to the Leaning Tower's Piazza.
The bus stops are directly across the street.
I know the 'A' bus's stop is right in front of the Hotel Jolly and I assume the #2 & #3 are there also.
These are directions from the website
http://www.opapisa.it/index.php?id=221&L=1&T=2
Now when I went I had no directions so I just walked over to the bus signs in the bus turn-around lot to the right of the station. It was there I found the 'A' bus so my directions are for that bus.
***But you should go over to the Hotel Jolly which is the bus's 1st stop and wait there though.***
Also decide whether to follow my directions for the 'A' bus or take the #2 or #3 bus if one of them comes along 1st.
['A' Bus Directions] Walk out of the station and look 45deg to the right and walk over to that lamp post ~40m away. You will see a 'bus stop sign' for the "A" bus line (an A within a pink circle), which will also list your stop "Piazza Miracoli Museo Opera" (in yellow). Also it's 1st stop is directly across the street from the station (in front of the Hotel Jolly).
So there is a bus stop sign like the one mentioned above there also, these 2 stops are only ~40M apart
. Your bus will have an "A" on the back and over the front entrance and in the front will say "NAVETTA "A" Torre Park Pietrasatina".
The driver takes his break there so just board and VALIDATE your ticket.
The Leaning Tower bus stop could sneak past you if you're not watching so try and sit on the right side of the bus.
After the bus crosses the river the Piazza is ~1.1km away (but this is 'as the crow flies'), your bus route has 'lefts & rights' so it will be alittle longer.
Now before you get to the Piazza's bus stop you will see a large 'red cross sign' on the right and when you get to that you will see a tall fortress-type wall (~40m away-on right) with the Duomo dome above it.
Also look tourists walking around, maybe some mobile souvenir stands nearby?, tour buses? or other tourists on the bus getting off.
The return bus stop is directly across the street and the bus will be say 'NAVETTA "A" Ospedale Stazione FS'.
After you enter the Piazza on the right (~125m) you will come across the 'Museo delle Sinopie' you can buy the regular tickets (Duomo & Museums) there or at the other end of the Piazza at the 'Museo dell' Opera del Duomo'.
To pick-up your reserved Leaning Tower tickets or to make a reservation, walk to the far end of the Piazza and turn left. Walking between the Duomo and the Tower you will see a building in front of you.
Walk over to it and turn right in 30m you will pass the door to a gift shop, next is the ticket office and next is a baggage storage room with free lockers for those climbing the Tower.
The lockers are small but will hold a daypack, no bags or purses/handbags are allowed on the Tower climb.
Outside this door is the meeting point for those climbing the Tower.
When walking over to the Tower position yourself within the other 29 people, meaning if you're young or in good physical shape get in the front section of the group, if you older, overweight, been smoking for years you might want to take-up the rear
. You will not be rushed and the rear escort guide is in no hurry to get back to the top *again* (that is 1st hand info BTW
. When you get to the bell landing (1 level from the top) you will walk halfway around the Tower on the outside and then climb to the top. There is a steel rail around the edge but there are 4 narrow steps that go longways around the Tower.
So your choice is to either walk right alongside the rail or on 1 of the higher steps which puts the rail lower in respect to you.
I made it about 2 meters and got a major attack of vertigo (just like in the Hitchcock film
and couldn't make it around.But the other 29 people had no problem and in time my fingernail marks where I crawled back to the doorway will fade
. Also there is a sign at the meeting point that mentions that people might experience vertigo during the climb.
*Sometimes* in the Baptistry they will shut the doors. A local will then either sing or just hit a hit note.
When he/she stops you would not believe how long that note resonates inside this circular building.
It's amazing, so keep a watch out for this event.
Whatever Italian city you are in, check the souvenir stands for a Pisa guidebook.
This way you will have something to read on the train and you won't hit these sites completely clueless
.
Apr 8th, 2007, 03:10 AM
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Thanks for posting these excellent directions, etc.
I do have one question:
you describe those souvenir stalls near the Tower as "tacky."
If they were selling higher end merchandize such as overpriced vomit-colored Louis Vuitton bags would they then be less tacky?
I do have one question:
you describe those souvenir stalls near the Tower as "tacky."
If they were selling higher end merchandize such as overpriced vomit-colored Louis Vuitton bags would they then be less tacky?
Apr 8th, 2007, 05:21 AM
#10
Sorry, Walter, but I must disagree about all the shops across from the tower being tacky. You must not be a shopper. There is an Il Papiro store which makes hand decorated papers, cards, etc. Their main store, I believe, is in Florence, but we found the prices to be cheaper in Pisa. DD's high school English teacher requested pencils (made with marbelized paper) from there and gave her the money to buy them. Their handmade stationary and cards are wonderful, but pricey.
http://www.ilpapirofirenze.it/ENG/index.htm
http://www.ilpapirofirenze.it/ENG/index.htm
Apr 8th, 2007, 08:56 AM
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'One picture...a thousand words' http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/p/m/19e62c/
The purple banner on the bldg's wall is the 'Museum of the Sinopias', its entrance is flanked by these stalls.
The bldg that these stalls block dates back to the 13th & 14th Century and are part of this historical Piazza's beauty.
So I still stand-by "tacky".
"The Leaning Tower has turned one side of the street flanking the Piazza into a long row of tacky souvenir stalls.
But just turn your back on them and you have a lovely piazza with a beautiful cathedral, baptistery and a campanile that just happens to lean ."
Regards, Walter
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/p/m/19e62c/The purple banner on the bldg's wall is the 'Museum of the Sinopias', its entrance is flanked by these stalls.
The bldg that these stalls block dates back to the 13th & 14th Century and are part of this historical Piazza's beauty.
So I still stand-by "tacky"
."The Leaning Tower has turned one side of the street flanking the Piazza into a long row of tacky souvenir stalls.
But just turn your back on them and you have a lovely piazza with a beautiful cathedral, baptistery and a campanile that just happens to lean
."Regards, Walter
Apr 27th, 2007, 03:43 PM
#13
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I checked the opapisa website and don't seem to be able to buy advance tickets for anything but the Tower.
If I purchase advance Tower tickets online, will we still have to wait in a long lineup once we arrive in order to buy tickets to the other 5 sites? Or is there a separate (hopefully less crowded) ticket booth for the Cathedral etc?
Thanks
If I purchase advance Tower tickets online, will we still have to wait in a long lineup once we arrive in order to buy tickets to the other 5 sites? Or is there a separate (hopefully less crowded) ticket booth for the Cathedral etc?
Thanks
May 1st, 2007, 02:05 PM
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What is the best way to get to the Tower from the airport? We will be met by our tour director and may have time to kill while waiting for other people to arrive. The tour service rep won't say if the tour bus will drive by or stop at the Tower on the way to Monticantini
May 1st, 2007, 02:13 PM
#16
It depends on luggage. If you have luggage you need to store, then the easiest way is to catch the train from the airport to Pisa Central. The left luggage department is at the opposite end of the station to platform 14 where most airport trains arrive. From the station it is a pleasant 25 minute walk to the tower, or you can cath a bus, or a train towards Lucca and get off at S.Rossare station (about 5 min from the tower)
If you don't need to store luggage, then just catch a local bus from outside the airport to the campo dei miracoli.
If you don't need to store luggage, then just catch a local bus from outside the airport to the campo dei miracoli.
Apr 4th, 2008, 10:32 AM
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Walter, you are truly a dedicated person! It is so refreshing to have such specific directions for an area. We are not going to Pisa this trip, but we are going to Rome and I have your directions for the Forum as an item on my packing list.
Apr 16th, 2008, 02:50 PM
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I just came across this post which I agree with 100%. Just curious, ppp are you still with us? Regards, Walter
Author: SusanP
Date: 01/11/2006, 11:28 am
degas, I haven't been to Pisa, but here's an old post I had saved in case I get there:
Author: ppp ([email protected])
Date: 05/03/2002, 12:26 pm
Even Pisa detractors must agree that the Campo dei Miracoli, with its green lawn and the four Pisan-Romanesque buildings, is one of the finest and unparalleled architectural ensembles of the world. Of course, there are tacky souvenir stands all around that may get on one´s nerves, but these shouldn´t prevail. But there´s much more to Campo dei Miracoli than the splendid general view (best when approaching from the west, through Porta Santa Maria).
The magnificent west front façade aside, the highlights of the Duomo are its impressive 100 mts long interior, with its deep apse, 3-aisled transept and numerous piers; its fine Giovanni Pisano pulpit, the transept door Pisano´s Romanesque bronze panels and the Bologna´s bronze main doors.
The Battistero is so perfectly built that if one talks at low tone in one side, one may be understood in the other. The masterpiece in the Battistero is Pisano´s pulpit and I the octogonal center font is lovely.
IMO, though, the highlight of the Campo dei Miracoli is the Camposanto. To get the right perspective, one must have in mind that it was completely destroyed by a WW2 bomb. The restauration work done (specially regarding the frescos) is simply amazing and the result is magnificent. The cycle comprising the Triumph of Death, the Last Judgment and Hell, painted by an unknown 14C artist at the height of the black death, is simply amazing. Restoration work on tombstones should still be on. This gives the opportunity for visitors to watch it real time (and have it explained by restorators).
Did you notice that I didn´t even mentioned the Tower ... to me, it fits perfectly in the ensemble and is and outstanding example of the Pisan Romanesque architecture ... period!
There´s much more to Pisa than Campo dei Miracoli. Since more than 90% of tourists restrict their visit to the Campo, I guarantee that you´ll feel like you´re just about the only tourist in town if you stroll away from it. The old town has a maze of narrow and interesting alleys. The streets of the city are geared toward locals (50,000 of them students, almost half of the entire population), not tourists.
There are mane very good restaurants, from simple to elegant, in most of which you´ll hardly hear a word in English. The river, with its bridges, is lovely, as is the historic centre of Pisa, Piazza dei Cavalieri. The Santa Maria della Spina church, overlooking the Arno, is a must.
In all, Pisa is IMO one of the most vibrant cities in Italy. Unfortunately you won´t have the chance to visit it by night. It has a very intense cultural life: there isn´t a single evening/night (except 2nd half of July and August) that something (theatre, music, dance, etc) isn´t going on.
Pisa detractors lack something! Or are so overwhelmed by the desire to visit the Tower (which won´t live up to expectations) that disappointment is a certainty.
Author: SusanP
Date: 01/11/2006, 11:28 am
degas, I haven't been to Pisa, but here's an old post I had saved in case I get there:
Author: ppp ([email protected])
Date: 05/03/2002, 12:26 pm
Even Pisa detractors must agree that the Campo dei Miracoli, with its green lawn and the four Pisan-Romanesque buildings, is one of the finest and unparalleled architectural ensembles of the world. Of course, there are tacky souvenir stands all around that may get on one´s nerves, but these shouldn´t prevail. But there´s much more to Campo dei Miracoli than the splendid general view (best when approaching from the west, through Porta Santa Maria).
The magnificent west front façade aside, the highlights of the Duomo are its impressive 100 mts long interior, with its deep apse, 3-aisled transept and numerous piers; its fine Giovanni Pisano pulpit, the transept door Pisano´s Romanesque bronze panels and the Bologna´s bronze main doors.
The Battistero is so perfectly built that if one talks at low tone in one side, one may be understood in the other. The masterpiece in the Battistero is Pisano´s pulpit and I the octogonal center font is lovely.
IMO, though, the highlight of the Campo dei Miracoli is the Camposanto. To get the right perspective, one must have in mind that it was completely destroyed by a WW2 bomb. The restauration work done (specially regarding the frescos) is simply amazing and the result is magnificent. The cycle comprising the Triumph of Death, the Last Judgment and Hell, painted by an unknown 14C artist at the height of the black death, is simply amazing. Restoration work on tombstones should still be on. This gives the opportunity for visitors to watch it real time (and have it explained by restorators).
Did you notice that I didn´t even mentioned the Tower ... to me, it fits perfectly in the ensemble and is and outstanding example of the Pisan Romanesque architecture ... period!
There´s much more to Pisa than Campo dei Miracoli. Since more than 90% of tourists restrict their visit to the Campo, I guarantee that you´ll feel like you´re just about the only tourist in town if you stroll away from it. The old town has a maze of narrow and interesting alleys. The streets of the city are geared toward locals (50,000 of them students, almost half of the entire population), not tourists.
There are mane very good restaurants, from simple to elegant, in most of which you´ll hardly hear a word in English. The river, with its bridges, is lovely, as is the historic centre of Pisa, Piazza dei Cavalieri. The Santa Maria della Spina church, overlooking the Arno, is a must.
In all, Pisa is IMO one of the most vibrant cities in Italy. Unfortunately you won´t have the chance to visit it by night. It has a very intense cultural life: there isn´t a single evening/night (except 2nd half of July and August) that something (theatre, music, dance, etc) isn´t going on.
Pisa detractors lack something! Or are so overwhelmed by the desire to visit the Tower (which won´t live up to expectations) that disappointment is a certainty.
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lhynson
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Oct 2nd, 2006 08:38 AM
