Pisa – Cathedral Museum


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…

Pisa – Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta


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…

Pisa – Sinopie Museum


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…

Pisa – Camposanto


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…

The People of Pompeii


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…

The Vatican Museums


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…

Walking Around Rome


Whenever possible we like to walk around a bit the first evening after arriving in our destination.  It helps to get some exercise before bedtime and adjust to the jet lag.  Besides, evening is an interesting time of day to observe the local happenings – people are getting off work, going out to eat, doing…

The British Museum – Blown Away!


With an empire that spanned so much of the globe, it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise that Great Britain’s collection of historical and cultural artifacts is vast. The works housed in the British Museum are indeed many and varied….Egypt, Greece, Rome,  Asia, Africa, the Pacific, the Americas…most major portions of the world are represented…

Wrapping Up Wales


Museum Day The National Museum Cardiff, part of the National Museum Wales “network”, has a rather nice set of exhibits in the areas of art, natural history and human history.  We managed to stroll through just about all of the rooms, though we spent the most time in certain areas.  Since admission is free, it’s…