Pisa – View From the Tower


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.  

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 – 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 Lego Block of Pompeii


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 –…

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 Houses of Pompeii


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…

The Streets of Pompeii


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…

Rainbow Over Pompeii


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…