Pizza at Pisa

Being so close, we just had to visit what is universally known as the symbol of Italy, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. We were excited at the prospect of going up the tower, having heard that it had recently been opened up to tourists again. "Opened up" however, appears to mean that you can view it, from the ground. Visitors were not allowed inside! Having seen it though, I can understand why. It looks almost absurd, at an impossible angle. What made it even funnier to our minds is the fact that it has always been a problem, so much so that no-one would put their name to it and various architects tried to improve the situation which had halted the building at three stories by counterbalancing subsequent levels. The number of steps into the bell tower at the top even differs from one side to the other. It is certainly a sight to behold.

The Tower is one of a number of remarkable ecclesiastical buildings, situated in the Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles). Despite the huge number of tourists the site was fairly tranquil, a sense of awe (after the giggles at the sight of the tower) among the visitors. We paid to go inside the Duomo, and Chris and I had mixed feelings about it. I wasn't so struck by the black and white marble that Chris liked but we both agreed with the guide books' description of the pulpit, sculpted by Giovanni Pisano, being the highpoint. The Medieval mosaic of Christ, high above the altar was also impressive.

The field, containing the Duomo (cathedral) the bell tower, Baptistry and monumental cemetery is set apart from the Medieval maze of the town in which we wandered happily, stopping for a fantastic beer and pizza lunch in a little back alley near the market. We also went in search of a tower that we could climb, and were surprised to find we were the only people there. We suppose that most of Pisa's tourists arrive in a coach, are given a couple of hours to look round the Campo before moving on. This is a pity for them, because we really liked the town.