Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Pisa & the Leaning Tower (2006)
OK, OK, so this post is very, very, very long overdue. I had hoped to get all the updates from our Christmas in Italy (2006) posted before Christmas 2007, but as you can see that didn’t happen. So, the next several updates are more than a year in the making. Hope you enjoy them nonetheless.
When we arrived in Pisa, we headed to the Piazza dei Miracoli. This is the view once we entered through the Antica Porta Nuova, with the Baptistry in the foreground and the Cathedral and Tower behind it.
The Baptistry was begun in 1153, but wasn’t finished until two centuries later, at the same time as the adjacent Cathedral.
The tower was begun in 1173, but construction stopped after only three stories were completed since it had already begun to lean. A century later, work resumed and construction was completed to the sixth story. In 1350, the belfry was completed, with seven bells that reproduce the notes of the scale. Galileo Galilei conducted his famous experiments into the laws of gravity from the top of the tower.
Zachary and MacKenzie each had to take a turn trying to hold up the tower. It was amazing how it seemed to lean more or less depending on where we stood. MacKenzie really had her work cut out for her!
Zachary then tried to push it over with just his finger (although it looks like they were able to straighten it up a bit by then).
Fortunately, it didn’t tumble over and I was able to snap off this photo of the kids.
We wanted to go to the top of the tower, but Benjamin wasn't allowed because he was too young. I could have gone up with MacKenzie while Zachary stayed below with Benjamin or sent Zachary and MacKenzie up without me, but we didn’t have enough time for the three of us to make the trek (in two separate trips) before our designated meeting time. We were all disappointed at the way that worked out. Maybe next time.
The interior of the Cathedral was absolutely gorgeous, with rich paintings and sculptures. Just in front of this nave is a bronze chandelier that, according to legend, led to Galileo’s theory of the isochronism of pendulum oscillation -- how a pendulum swings in relation to the earth's rotation (if you’ve ever been to the Smithsonian and seen the huge pendulum, you’ll understand).
Above and to the left are more interior shots of the cathedral. The various marbles were stunning.
Unfortunately, we didn’t get inside the Baptistry since there were services being held while we were there.
Benjamin enjoyed being able to walk around and stretch his legs after our overnight bus trip. The Baptistry and Cathedral are behind him.
I like the shot below of the Cathedral and Tower with the small cherub statue between them. It definitely shows why the entire piazza is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site “for the uniqueness of its magnificent group of monuments.”
While we were there, who should we run into but Benjamin’s day care provider and her family! Benjamin was excited to see Lisa, and Cale was kind enough to take a photo of all four of us. However, the sun was being rather unkind, and we could barely keep our eyes open for the photo.
When we arrived in Pisa, we headed to the Piazza dei Miracoli. This is the view once we entered through the Antica Porta Nuova, with the Baptistry in the foreground and the Cathedral and Tower behind it.The Baptistry was begun in 1153, but wasn’t finished until two centuries later, at the same time as the adjacent Cathedral.
The tower was begun in 1173, but construction stopped after only three stories were completed since it had already begun to lean. A century later, work resumed and construction was completed to the sixth story. In 1350, the belfry was completed, with seven bells that reproduce the notes of the scale. Galileo Galilei conducted his famous experiments into the laws of gravity from the top of the tower.
Zachary and MacKenzie each had to take a turn trying to hold up the tower. It was amazing how it seemed to lean more or less depending on where we stood. MacKenzie really had her work cut out for her!
Zachary then tried to push it over with just his finger (although it looks like they were able to straighten it up a bit by then).
Fortunately, it didn’t tumble over and I was able to snap off this photo of the kids.We wanted to go to the top of the tower, but Benjamin wasn't allowed because he was too young. I could have gone up with MacKenzie while Zachary stayed below with Benjamin or sent Zachary and MacKenzie up without me, but we didn’t have enough time for the three of us to make the trek (in two separate trips) before our designated meeting time. We were all disappointed at the way that worked out. Maybe next time.
The interior of the Cathedral was absolutely gorgeous, with rich paintings and sculptures. Just in front of this nave is a bronze chandelier that, according to legend, led to Galileo’s theory of the isochronism of pendulum oscillation -- how a pendulum swings in relation to the earth's rotation (if you’ve ever been to the Smithsonian and seen the huge pendulum, you’ll understand).
Above and to the left are more interior shots of the cathedral. The various marbles were stunning.Unfortunately, we didn’t get inside the Baptistry since there were services being held while we were there.
Benjamin enjoyed being able to walk around and stretch his legs after our overnight bus trip. The Baptistry and Cathedral are behind him.I like the shot below of the Cathedral and Tower with the small cherub statue between them. It definitely shows why the entire piazza is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site “for the uniqueness of its magnificent group of monuments.”
While we were there, who should we run into but Benjamin’s day care provider and her family! Benjamin was excited to see Lisa, and Cale was kind enough to take a photo of all four of us. However, the sun was being rather unkind, and we could barely keep our eyes open for the photo.Labels: Benjamin, Italy, MacKenzie, Travel, Zachary
