We were blessed with wonderful, generally clear weather while we were in Pisa. So the views from the top of the Leaning Tower were marvelous! The cathedral and baptistry look really pretty from above and the sight of the surrounding countryside and mountains in the distance are breathtaking.
So it’s time to go up the famous Leaning Tower. Before I started researching logistics for this vacation, I wasn’t aware of the purpose of the tower (I probably should have picked up that tidbit of information years ago!). The structure is actually a bell tower – which in retrospect seems obvious I guess! Access…
Behind the Cathedral and the Tower is the Cathedral Museum, containing may works of art which at one time were in and around the Cathedral and other buildings in the Field of Miracles. Over time these works were moved inside for safety or preservation. There are a wide variety of pieces housed here despite the…
Construction started in the year 1064 on Pisa’s duomo, or cathedral, which is dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta (St, Mary of the Assumption). I think it has a very interesting and pretty exterior. Yet the inside is what really shines, with gorgeous paintings, icons, and sculptures. It is inside the cathedral where Galileo is said…
Across the square from the Camposanto is the Sinopie Museum. This museum houses the full-scale sketches that were used to create the frescoes inside the Camposanto. Although it probably receives even fewer visitors than the Camposanto, the museum is certainly a valuable part of your trip to Pisa. Perhaps the idea of looking at someone’s…
Believe it or not, there is more to see in Pisa’s cathedral square than just the famous tower. My personal favorite is the Camposanto (“holy ground”) – a large Gothic cloister burial ground constructed in 1279 around soil brought back from Golgotha, the site of Jesus’ crucifixion. The outer walls of the Camposanto are fairly…
Along a back street of Pompeii, just around the corner from the back door of the cafe, we stumbled upon this amazing artifact. It didn’t take long to recognize as, obviously, giant a Lego block! So – what was a stone Lego block doing in ancient Pompeii? I think the answer is pretty clear –…
Despite the beauty and incredible preservation of Pompeii, there is a sadness to visiting it as well. An estimated 2,000 people were estimated to have fallen victim the Vesuvius’ cataclysmic eruption. Of those, the remains of over 1,000 have been discovered during excavations in addition to the remains of animals. After being buried by the…
In the ruins of Pompeii there are a range of structures from the small dwellings of its poorer residents to the massive houses of the wealthy. Amazingly the detailed decorations of the houses – fine mosaic flooring and fresco interior walls – remained intact after the eruption. These few photos don’t really do justice to…
There are so many amazing things to see in Pompeii. One of my favorites was actually the streets. Naturally they are all nicely planned out and well constructed. Raised stones in various spots served as a means for pedestrians to cross without stepping into the often dirty water flowing down the roads. These “crosswalks” were…
We awoke to a slightly cooler and drizzly morning on the day of our side trip to see the famous ruins of Pompeii. The high-speed Frecciarossa train took us from Rome Termini to Napoli Centrale station, where we transferred to the separate station for the local Circumvesuviana commuter train to Pompeii. While waiting for the local…
First off, my apologies to REM for the title… Scavi (Excavations) Tour We actually went underneath St. Peter’s Basilica before we went inside it! The Vatican offers a tour of the necropolis underneath the basilica, where St. Peter’s tomb is located. Archaeological excavations during the last century uncovered a rather extensive group of graves dating…
The Vatican’s art collection vast, to put it mildly, and definitely something not to be missed even if you don’t have time to soak in every piece. From sculptures to paintings…from unknown artists to masters such as da Vanci, Raphael, and Titian…it’s a feast for the eyes and a bit overwhelming at first. The big…
The iQ Hotel Roma turned out to be one of my favorite hotels among recent trips. Our family typically will seek out a mid-range hotel with good local transport options and convenient food choices as well. So with that background we settled on the iQ Hotel, in a room with one double bed and a…
The 1st century AD Arch of Titus looms large upon entering the Roman Forum. One of many such honorary or triumphal arches in Rome (and elsewhere in Europe for that matter), it was constructed as an homage to Emperor Titus by his brother, Emperor Domitian. Titus earned fame within the Roman Empire for leading many…
Travel
Random Photography, Fine Art and Fashion
Adventures in Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Current events and history: Retrospect and thoughts
A blog full of humorous and poignant observations.
Observations and random thoughts from a "not so teenager."
The life of PASSION
Pencil sketches and colors of life in line drawing with inspirational poetry
The Granite Globe 