Cities all over Italy have great architecture and sights to take in — but Pisa might just take the … pie.
ITALY, — The city of Pisa has a beautiful church.
“The Cathedral is one of the oldest cathedrals that we still have in Italy. And, the dome is the second-oldest in the world,” tour guide Alessandro Bargagna said.
This city has an impressive 13th century monument that accommodates graves and features frescos.
There is another structure that made history.
“This building is the tallest, largest baptistery in the world,” Bargagna said. “So, they come here. Everybody has to be silent.”
“Just one of the guards in here goes near the baptismal fount, singing 2-3 notes – like da-da-da. And that’s it,” Bargagna said. “It’s like a choir of angel as they call it.”
It’s all worth your time. But it’s not the main reason people flock here.
“Everybody comes here to take a picture of the leaning tower and discover my beautiful city,” Bargagna said.
This famous bell tower of Pisa began leaning shortly after construction in 1174.
“It’s leaning because were on water — we’re still on water. We were under the Arno River. We don’t know who made it. The architect disappeared. He made a mistake. The best mistake ever made,” Bargagna said. “It slowly started to sink, and there was no way to correct it. They tried and tried until we got to 1989 when we tried to excavate to try and save it somehow. We did it. It took 11 years of restoration, and finally, the tower is safer.”
The Leaning Tower is the biggest draw in Pisa.
“Then, they come back to take the picture. Not one picture. But, the picture,” Bargagna said.
Some take photos that appear to show their hands pushing the tower, holding it or even buying an ice cream cone and positioning it below the tower so it looks like a frosty treat.
Everywhere you look, everyone is getting their photo. So, if you travel to Pisa, be sure to explore the Square of Miracles. Spend time in the Cathedral. Walk the Camposanto. Listen to the acoustics inside the Baptistery. Then, follow everyone to the most famous structure in the city and pick a pose.
It’s what you do in the pilgrimage to Pisa.