September 11 - Pisa

On September 11 we headed off on our first of several excursions.  This one started out at port where we loaded onto large tour buses and headed off to Pisa.  Later in the day we would go to Florence, but that will be on another post.  I usually try to take a few shots on the way to be able to record what the typical landscape looks like so when we get to the actual site there will be a bit of context for what make that particular site have the importance that it does.  It was about a 45 minute trip, the landscape was generally level and seemed to have drainage ditches and rivers draining the land.

 

One surprising element was this huge US military installation.  As we drove along the road the area on our left stretched on for several miles.  Our Guide explained that this military installation was from the time of WW II and that it was important to this part of Italy's economy.   I have only included a couple of photos of the base, but this was a huge operation with barracks, air strip, trucks, and other equipment, quite an impressive display of military hardware.

Above a typical, for that area, farm dwelling. and below an old church building in the midst of renovation.

Below is another farm dwelling.  The fields were quite flat, hardly any slope.

Here we are at the city limits of Pisa.

We actually crossed over several rivers, but because of the heavily tree lined roads it was not always possible to get a shot of them.  The field below had been recently plowed.  It looked very much like agricultural practices in the US

We parked in a large parking area with dozens of other buses and walked to the center of Pisa.  Below is the first view of something that looked like what might be what we were going to see. 

We passed by several shops and regular neighborhoods on the way.  The fence below was interesting in that it was make of concrete.  Pretty fancy concrete I'd say.

Streets were, for the most part tree lined.  Our guide with Clarice and Jon just behind.  We were in a group of about 35 or so.

We walked several blocks through a mix of neighborhoods.

Eventually we came out beside this wall on the left in the photo below.  We headed on down this street for another couple of blocks and through a large arch way that lead to the center of Pisa.

Above is our first view of the tower that sure enough leans.

There are actually several structures on the grounds, the domed structure behind us is a basilica  and beyond that a cathedral.  Off to the left was a large open green that extended to the inside of the walls of the city that we had just walk by on our way there.  The sun angle was not all that good for picture from this side so we headed on down the walk to get better lighting.

 

This is from the sunny side of the cathedral.  We are standing at the formal gate to complex.  the light brownish building in the background apparently were residence and office space for staff.  The tower is leaning in on on the left side of the picture.

 

I you get to the right location you can get a picture of the tower all strait and not leaning, but what's the point.

We walked past the tower area and on down the street toward the commercial areas of the city.

 

We cam upon this interesting archway and went in for a look around. The door knocker was on both of the doors that were propped open.

 

Inside was a really nice courtyard and a beautiful colonnade.  We found out later that this was a seminary.

 

We walked around to the other side of the block and found an entrance into the other side of the complex.  The street below went off to the right from where we were standing.  In the distance you can see another arched gate of the walled city in which the tower complex was built.

 

We got another cheesy we were here shot, but unlike almost every other tourist we resisted the "here take a picture of me holding up the tower"

From what I have read in the past the tower like several others were built as status symbols by wealthy families.  The land on which many of the towers were built was apparently unstable and or they did not really pay attention to foundation design.  Over the years there have been many attempts to shore up the tower.  They could have actually straighten it up to plumb but then they would have to change the name to the strait tower of Pisa or upright tower of Pisa. But then perhaps the tourist will lose interest and there would be no point in taking a picture to hold the thing up.   Somewhere along the way someone decided what angle of lean is most picturesque and still safe.

Up close the tower is highly detailed and actually quite elegant.

The amount of slope or tilt at the base is accommodated by a mote or trench.  There are some detailed photos of that below.

The cathedral beyond the tower has just as much detail as the tower.   The dome below is quite a ways beyond the cathedral on in the green.

Here is Karen on a small walk that leads up to the base of the tower.

I liked this shot because of the way the tower lays against the building behind.

The ochre colored buildings are in sharp contract to the other buildings on the complex site, but do blend into the neighborhood.   The photo above and below are here to show that re-sodding gets done at these sites as well.  Grounds departments everywhere are always trying to make landscapes  look nice in spite of thousands of people walking over and through your work.

These photos show the mote/trench around the base that is obviously several feet below grade.

We walked around the tower and up to this interesting bronze doors below.

 

I took close up shots of the individual panels of the door each of which tells part of the story of the life of Jesus.  I tried to put them in order, but there are a couple panels that I am not sure I have in the right place.  Perhaps someone that can read Latin could help me out with the getting this right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a shot of the tower with the sun behind the tower, and below is a shot of the Bronze door with a bit more context.

Above is a shot of the door into the Tower.  It's supposed to be crooked

Our time at the site was nearing the end and we began to work our way back to the meeting place. 

Above is a shot up one of the side streets.  The shot below is using a telephoto lens looking across the green to one of the arched entrances that has closed doors.

Below is the Gate through which we had entered.  Karen is standing on the right.  The shirt that she is wearing makes her blend into the stone.  Later on in another post I have another picture to illustrate this point.

I got a lot of use of photo above with the Police at IPFW.  I threatened them with this being the new squad card.

Here is another tour group heading toward us as we walk back to the bus.  The photo below is my attempt to illustrate that these really important historical sites are often really close to some more industrial or junky areas  Hear is a railroad track with someone beyond burning garden waste.