Pisa, though quite famous as a city, really isn't a very lively place. It reached its height before the renaissance and since then it's had to play second fiddle to the nearby Florence. Walking the streets, the town was all closed up and quite dull, on a Friday no less!
They say though that it's a university town. Thus it bids the students goodbye in June and then welcomes the tourists instead. During August though, it is supposed to be a hotbed of activity, with students gearing up for the new term. It's university is one of the oldest in Italy, and is in constant competition with its rivals in Padua and Bologna.
The main draw in Pisa is, of course, the tower. The most famous mistake in history. It's located in the piazza deI miracoli. In this square, there is the tower, cathedral and baptistery. That's all the highlights if Pisa all in one place.
No need for words
But for what highlights it has, they do not disappoint. He tower is actually a thrilling experience. Mainly because when you get to the balcony you can actually feel the force of gravity guiding you down the sloped floor. I'm not usually afraid if heights, but standing there just thinking about it, I have to admit it's unnerving. Fear aside, the view amazing from the top. It presents a clear view of the entire city of Pisa and some of the surrounding regions. You can also see from the top the very clear cross shaped duomo right beside it.
A view from the top
Cathedral from the top
The baptistery is also a neat exhibit, but be sure to hang around for the echo demonstration. The octagonal building has perfect acoustics. Any sounds made from the center of the room will linger and echo for a fair amount of time. The guide let out a good range of notes to give us the full effect. It's a lovely sound that reverberates all around you.
Baptistery view from the 2nd floor
Also an attraction in itself is the sheer amount of tourists taking that classic picture of holding up the leaning tower. They look really funny holding their hands up in the air. Some are even more daring and hold up the tower with their feet. *Gasp*
That's the hit and run of Pisa. In by 10 and out by 2. Not without a pizza (in Pisa) though and some (more) gelato!
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