PISA -- DRIVE TO NICE BY THE WAY OF PISA

Pisa --

Today we drove back to Nice to catch our flight home via Rome.

We had one more place we wanted to see before we left and fortunately it was on our way to Nice, Pisa.  Checking out of our “base” in Florence took a while.  We did not wake up early because the trip to Assisi had worn us out with the rain and all the walking.  Of course, we also wanted to take advantage of one more wonderful breakfast at the Villa Olmi.

In this case we followed Rick Steve’s advice and found the parking area that was free near the core Pisa area.  It was only a few blocks away from where we wanted to be.

Yes, the tower does lean!!  We walked about the area where there are actually 4 different buildings to be viewed.  Archaeological finds have documented that Pisa was founded by the Etruscans in around 9^th or 8^th century BC in a place which turned out to be very fortunate from the strategic position because it was founded on the River Arno, a few kilometers from the sea protected by a lagoon and crossed and another river.

The Cathedral of Pisa was consecrated in 1118, but the work for its construction was begun was begun between 1063 and 1064.  Like many cities in France and Italy especially along the coastal areas, what is now Pisa, was invaded by many different people and countries including Florence.  It was finally annexed in 1860 to the Kingdom of Italy and today Pisa is a city of art and destination.

They symbol of Pisa, is a 56 meter high bell tower leaning to one side because of the soft ground which makes up the subsoil of Pisa.  It currently leans 3 meters and 99 centimeters out of the vertical has only recently been stabilized at the measure after preservation work started in 1990.  It has been leaning since 1185 a few years after the start of construction.

We had a great lunch and it was really a beautiful blue sky day!

The drive along the coast to Nice was uneventful and mostly on the autostrada.  We had picked a hotel near the airport for an easy transition tomorrow morning!

Ciao!!  Off to Rome.

Susan and Bill

Pont du Gard

Pont du Gard

One of the side trips we took while in France was to see the Pont du Gard (literally: Gard Bridge).  It is an ancient Roman aqueduct bridge that crosses the Gardon River.  It is part of the Nimes aqueduct.  It was built by the Romans to carry water from a spring at Uzes to the Roman colony in the first century.  It is the highest of all Roman aqueduct bridges and is the best preserved.  It carried water from a spring and until the 6^th century with but some parts used for significantly longer.

Whatever the history, its sheer size and presence is overwhelming.  When you look at the precision that it took to construct and the amount of time that it has existed, it is a real monument to the Roman abilities.

It was a great afternoon.  Bill climbed to the top but I stayed on the lower tier.  In either physical position, the view was magnificent.

There was a great little restaurant a short distance from the aqueduct (in view), so we had a late lunch to enjoy the view for a little longer.

The pictures say it all!!

Susan and Bill

Assisi Thursday

Assisi – Thursday

Today we decided to travel to Assisi.  It is a little further than we anticipated and did not get an early start.  The good news is we made it.  The weather was not cooperating but we persisted.  We have rain suits we bought when we traveled to Ireland which really have come in handy during our trips.  Just as we arrived and put them on, it started raining and there was a very strong wind.

Have you ever tried to read a map and listen to Rick Steve on your Kindle in the middle of a blowing rain on top of a mountain???  It is an experience.  We were determined (me a little more than Bill) but he hung in strong.  The first 15-20 minutes were a bust, trying to figure out how to get oriented on the map, not get run over, and actually see everything we came to see. 

The storm blew over – so to speak – we found lunch and then we got reoriented on the path from the top of Assisi to the bottom.  Yes, we could have gone directly to the Basilica but the stories along the way were important to set the stage for how and why St. Francis became the person it was and the impact he had on those around him. 

Assisi is very much the medieval village still configured in its original form.  The history is not much different except that although thriving for many years, when the bubonic plague impacted the village, it did not recover and many of the structures and much of the culture were left in place.  This is not true of other areas that continued to grow and their historical buildings and roads were not kept in place.

Apart from St. Francis’ history in Assisi, he impacted many lives. He was born in Assisi in the late 13^th century and rejected his life to live a more simple and meaningful one in Assisi and teach the simplicity of living a Christian life through action.   One of his followers was a woman named Clare.  She was touched by St. Francis’ message and pledged to follow his example.  She was noble born and it created quite a stir in her family when she left home to follow his teachings.  She and Francis taught and lived a poor, simple life in near a church called St. Damiano on the outskirts of Assisi.    There are currently an order of nuns called the Poor Clare’s and still exist doing their good work throughout the world.  There is a church in Assisi where Clare lays in rest and she was declared a saint shortly after her death in 1293.

As we continued through the village, we came upon another church that was originally utilized by the early Romans who still were performing human sacrifices within the church.  It was transformed to a Christian church later and is currently utilized as such.

Late in the afternoon we finally came upon church in which St Francis died.  A small unassuming church which is no longer utilized.

The final church was the church in which St. Francis was laid to rest and still serves as a point of pilgrimage for many Christians and Franciscan followers.

MORE PICTURES FROM THE BASILICA AND GALILEO IN FLORENCE