Pisa
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Generally the Etruscans are credited with the founding of Pisa by the 5th century B.C.
It was a major Roman seaport served as a base for Roman naval expeditions against Ligurians,
Gauls and Carthaginians. It was a major trading center between Tuscany, Corsica, Sardinia and the
southern coasts of France and Spain in later centuries. Unfortunately we didn't have time to explore the rest of the city
of over 90,834 residents (around 200,000 with the metropolitan area), which contains more than 20 other historic
churches, several medieval palaces and various bridges across the River Arno. Much of the city's architecture was
financed from its history as one of the Italian maritime republics. We arrived under cloudy skies, but by the end
of our short visit, the sun broke through to produce some dramatic lighting.
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| The city's roman heritage is visible in this remnant of a roman aquaduct. |
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is the mode of transport between the parking area for buses and the
main attractions. Still suffering from a bit of jet lag, we
decided to hop on. |
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| New city walls, erected in 1156 by Consul Cocco Griffi. |
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| Detail, Camposanto Memorial Shrines building. |
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| The Cathedral of the Assumption and the leaning bell tower in the Piazza dei Miracoli. |
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| Baptistry. |
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| Facade of the Cathedral. |
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| Leaning bell tower. The tower started leaning almost immediately upon the beginning of its construction. |
The Bell Tower
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| Entrance to the bell tower. |
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The Cathedral of the Assumption
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| One of two side entrances. |
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| Main portal of the cathedral. |
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