I used to love field trips when I was in school and I still do!
Today, we traveled by bus from Florence to nearby Pisa to see the famous "Leaning Tower" and of course, the Duomo and Baptistry.
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| As we drove, several people commented on how many tree and plant nurseries there were along the way - most of them in front of large villas such as this one |
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| We also saw several villages up on hills - this afforded good defense in the middle ages |
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| Snow on the mountains? That's what we thought but Patrizia told us that some of that "snow" is actually marble of the same type from which was made Michelangelo's David! |
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| This is snow. Can you see the difference (Theresa's camera picked up some crud which shows up on many of her shots - it is now cleaned but was frustrating for her at the time!) |
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| Our guide Roberto ("Please, call me Bob") met us and was delightful - had not too many good things to say about Florentines! |
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| Steve & Sharon |
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| Theresa |
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| The Duomo (Cathedral) and the famous Bell Tower |
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| This angle of view really emphasizes the lean |
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| At one time, only the baptized could enter the Cathedral. That is why you see separate baptistries. On Holy Saturday, those entering the Church would be Baptized in a grand service and would then process to the Duomo for the Easter Sunrise Mass. The tradition of people being received into the Church on Holy Saturday still is used and is one of the most magnificent masses of the year! |
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| We are not above a few "tourist" shots! |
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| The best view of the Cathedral is from the upper level of the Baptistry |
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| This photo really shows the lean - now stabilized. |
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| Theresa & Bob |
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| Tony relaxes while Roberto talks in the whipser ears |
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| The Medici medieval walls still stand - at one time Pisa was the preeminent naval power in the Mediterranean Sea. Now the river has silted and Pisa sits several kilometers inland on the Po River |
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| The Campostano (graveyard and crypts} where we will have mass later |
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| The doors to the Cathedral are large, bronze and filled with reliefs telling the salvation story |
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| The nave is glorious and ornate |
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| The gilt ceiling is beautiful |
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| This bronze statue of St John the Baptists is in the Holy Water font |
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| Christ the Redeemer flanked by the Blessed Mother & St John |
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| The main altar and the Cathedra - or Bishop's Chair (from which the Cathedral gets its name) |
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| The Chapel of San Ranieri is dedicated to the Coronation or Mary as Queen of Heaven & Earth |
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| An close up of the figures depicting the coronation |
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| The earthly remains of St Raniera Scacceri, patron saint of Pisa |
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| There are many side altars |
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| The rotunda is decorated with a fresco of the assumption of Mary |
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| The Blessed Mother and the Christ Child look down |
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| Christ the Victor |
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| The Cathedral contains numerous paintings - some telling bible stories |
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| Some encouraging strength during persecution |
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| and martyrdom |
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| Joining our suffering in that of Christ for the salvation of souls |
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| The Blessed Sacrament Chapel |
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| This intricately carved pulpit survived the 16th century fire but was stored away until discovered in the 20th century |
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| Among the scenes is the Crucifixion . . . |
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| . . . and the separation of the saved from the damned (Mt 25) |
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| When we went into the Blessed Sacrament Chapel for prayer, we noticed this statue of Adam and Eve. The guard gave us permission to photograph it. |
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| The Baptistry interior is relatively stark by comparison |
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| The pulpit, while elegant is relatively simple |
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| Shortly after we ascended to the gallery level a guard sang tones much as would be done by a cantor during baptism. The space is acoustically pure and the sound can be heard everywhere with no amplification! |
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| The Baptistry is a simple yet elegant place for the new Christians to begin their journey to salvation |
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| Bob in Baptistry |
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| Bob on the stairs |
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| Theresa on the stairs |
This was a return visit to Pisa yet we had never ventured into to town. Emboldened by an mapping app on the Galaxy S4 phone (that worked offline), we ventured into town for at least a bite to eat.
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| This poor nag didn't seem to be in much better shape than those we'd seen in Florence. |
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| We hadn't walked far until we encountered the Church of St Catherine of Alexandria - a 13th century structure |
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| The church interior was simple yet elegant |
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| The stained glass window depicting the Apostolic Church under the mantle of Mary |
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| This painting appears to depict St Catherine receiving the Stigmata - the wounds of Christ. While she bore them in great pain, she requested they might not be visible to others so long as she lived. |
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| Madonna & Child |
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| This delightful park is just outside St Catherine's. Possibly the best part was there were almost no tourists - save us! |
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| The phone map app led us to La Piadona - fast food wraps, Italian style |
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| Bob got two wraps and a couple of Birra Perones (Italian beer) and we headed to the river to eat |
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| The place was packed with college students - always a good sign if you are looking for somewhere to eat that is both good and cheap! |
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| Along the way , we passed the Church of St Cecilia but it was not open (just as well since we were running a little late!) |
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| This is a normal side street in Pisa |
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| Nearing the river |
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| The Church of San Michele in Borgo very near the Po River in Pisa |
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| The bridge across the Po River (the longest river in Italy yet with the shortest name!) |
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| Piazza Garibaldi |
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| The Lungarno (riverside) Pacinotti |
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| Piadina made with salami, cheese, grilled onion & red peppers in a tortilla - YUMMY! |
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| We power walked back to the meeting place for mass - but there is always time to stop and . . . photograph . . . the flowers |
We found the chapel OK and everyone was waiting patiently. Even though we were a few minutes early (according to the schedule) Fr Vince said "We are ready to begin as soon as you catch your breath and can lead us in an opening song!"
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| Nancy read the Epistle & Psalm |
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| As had happened several times, Fr Vince celebrated mass "ad orientem" (literally facing East). Today, ad orientem is more often used to mean the priest and people all face the altar together |
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| The mass was celebrated in a chapel in the Camposanto Monumentale - an ornate burial place. Consequently, there were relics of many of the faithful departed |
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| As well as scenes related to death and resurrection |
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| As we left, we passed many crypts and monuments |
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| The walls were filled with frescoes depicting resurrection |
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| George (along with Bob) could always be found, camera in hand, at the head of the group looking for that special shot! |
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| The central courtyard was peaceful and serene even with thousands of tourists in the main piazza |
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| Many crypts in the floor |
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| As we walked back to the bus, once we left the walls of the piazza, the "separation places" (places designed to separate you from your money) were everywhere! The design caught my eye - here you see one with the sides dropped for secure storage - light years ahead of canvas tents! |
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| The walk back was lt least fairly level |
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| I can still hear Patrizia calling out: "Are all the groups here? Group one? Group 2? . . . " |
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| Our budget did not include a ride on Thomas the Train - we had to make do with the city transit bus |
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| Sharon and Steve headed for a bench! Sharon worked through a lot of discomfort through the trip but was an absolute angel about it! |
Back in Florence, we were on our own for dinner
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| Less than two blocks away was a little taverna - in France it would be a bistro |
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| Very reasonable prices |
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| Dan & Vicky were first on the scene |
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| The staff was trying to eat prior to the 7PM opening time, so our requests for a few more beers and/or glasses of wine were a bit of a hassle for them - but they were great |
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| Our server was named Sonata! |
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| Sonata, David (back), Bob, Barb (back), Vicky, Dan, Terry |
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| Bob, Barb, Vicky, Dan, Terry |
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| Ruth, George, David (back), Sid, Beth |
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| Nancy, Linda, (In background - Bob, Dan, Terry) |
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| Nancy, Linda |
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| Beth, Cindy |
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| Ruth, George |
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| Theresa & Bob |
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| Beth, Sonata, Cindy, David, Bob |
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| Vicky & Dan |
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| David (finally his face!) & Bob |
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| The calzone was fabulous |
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| As was the pizza |
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| A great place to eat with great new friends! |
We know we'll be back because we rubbed the boar's nose!
Tomorrow - the "bullet train" to Milan - fashion capitol of the world!
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