Pisa and Firenze (Florence)

We had a 2-hour stopover in Pisa before going to Firenze. We almost didn't have time for Pisa - the train station attendant in Cinque Terre was telling us that the 10:30am train already left for Pisa; but while she was telling us that, announcements were made that the train to Pisa was arriving - we made a mad dash to get on the right platform!

In A.D. 1200, Pisa rivaled Venice and Genoa. Their proximity to the Arno River enabled them to build a sea-trading empire. Pisa showed their wealth by building the Campo di Miracoli Field of Miracles - three grand buildings line one side of the garden: The Cathedral, the Baptistery, and the Bell Tower.

It's most famous landmark - The Leaning Tower is 200 feet tall, 55 feet wide, weighs 14,000 tons, and leans at an 85 degree angle. Its first stones were laid in 1173 presumably by Bonano Pisano.

Pisa's Duomo was begun in 1063, financed largely by the loot Pisa seized in its victory over Sicily in 1069. There is a bronze incense burner that hangs over the pulpit that is said to be the one galileo studied for pendulums.

We also took a picture of some interesting grafitti - virtually every European holds this sentiment!

Finally in Firenze - the hotel we stayed at is Hotel Aldobrandini - a really nice family-operated hotel and is centrally located (very close to Firenze's Duomo and Bell Tower! Our first major site in Firenze was the Accademia - home to Michelangelo's original (and much copied) David and several of his Prisoners. Michelangelo, the greatest sculptor ever, worked freehand, believing that God placed these figures in marble and his job was to free them! The marble that Michelango used was turned down by many sculptors even claiming it was inferior, but when Michelango saw it, he knew it was perfect for David. The 14 foot statue was completed from 1501-1504 and was supposed to go on top of Firenze's Duomo, but the Firenzians liked it so much that it was placed in the Palazzo Vecchio, where a copy stands today. The original suffered damage during a riot - the left arm was broken off - afterwards it was moved to the Accademia to protect it from even more damage. The Prisoners were commissioned for the tomb of Pope Julius II (along with his altar work Moses, but the tomb was never completed.

Our first Firenze dinner was at Ristorante Cavallino in the Palazzo Vecchio. This is also the only time we've had a waiter actually hint at getting a tip! Europeans usually don't tip - service charges are usually included, as it was for our dinner. But the waiter knew we were American and he tried to get some extra money!

After dinner we did a portion of Rick Steves' Rennaissance Walk, which started at the Accademia, then the Duomo and Bell Tower, here at Palazzo Vecchio, then ending at the Ponte Vecchio - Old Bridge. Palazzo Vecchio was the political center of Firenze. The Ponte Vecchio is a popular bridge that crosses the Arno River. The Medici family built the covered passageway over the bridge so they can commute from home to work in private. During WWII, a German general was commanded to destroy the bridge. But the German appreciated history and instead blew up the buildings on either side of the bridge, rendering it useless but keeping the bridge intact!

We had gelato twice today! Italy makes the best gelato in Europe and Firenze has the best gelato in Italy!

See more pics from Day 9
Page 2, Page 3

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See more pics of our Italy Vacation:

Day 0 - The Arrival :)
Day 1 - Lake Como: Varenna, Menaggio, Bellagio, and Cadenabbia
Day 2 - Varenna and Bellagio
Day 3 - Venezia (Venice)
Day 4 - Venezia
Day 5 - Venezia
Day 6 - Venezia
Day 7 - Cinque Terre: Vernazza and Monterosso
Day 8 - Cinque Terre: Corniglia, Manorola, and Riomaggiore
Day 10 - Firenze
Day 11 - Firenze
Day 12 - Firenze and Siena
Day 13 - Siena and San Gimignano
Day 14 - Siena
Day 15 - Sorrento
Day 16 - Sorrento, Amalfi, and Ravello
Day 17 - Sorrento, Ercolano (Herculaneum) and Napoli (Naples)
Day 18 - Sorrento and Pompeii
Day 19 - Roma (Rome)
Day 20 - Roma
Day 21 - Roma and the Vatican City
Day 22 - Roma - Our last day in Italy :(

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