My friends and I were planning to go for backpacking to Europe countries, but in the end we dropped the idea and went for a tour instead. So, I was in charged of doing research on some cities of Italy such as Verona, Pisa and Milan. I was pretty hyped up when I know we are going to visit one of my dream places, and did plenty of researches before we got there.
Basically, the Piazza del Duomo or the Pisa's Cathedral Square is made up of three structures: (From left) Pisa Baptistry, Pisa Cathedral and the one and only Leaning Tower of Pisa. We have to pass through some 'kampung' roads from the bus in order to get to the Pisa's Cathedral Square.
Let's start with the Leaning Tower of Pisa, shall we? Built in the year of 1372, it's hard to imagine such slanting building has already stood the test of time for more than 600 years! If you pay hard attention, you'll see the engineers tried to straighten the upper levels when they realised the tower is actually slanting during construction!
Oops! I think I had caused the tower slanted a little more!
One of the must-do at Pisa - The tower-supporting pose! Oh by the way, standing on the grassland around the Tower of Pisa is prohibited! But it's hard to get a good spot to take photos with the tower if we abide the rule...
Playing with creativity:
Jump shots!
Modern days engineers have countered the slanting effect of the Pisa Tower to prevent it from collapsing by adding 800 tonnes of lead counterweights on the high ground. Then, the upper levels were anchored with cables while machine dug out tonnes of ground to straighten the tower. Or else, we might not have the chance to see the tower anymore!
It costs a whooping 15 Euros to climb the Pisa Tower, I mean CLIMB up the stairs! Daylight robbery to the tourists...
Speaking about robbery, the area of Piazza del Duomo is prone to pickpockets. We were very cautious with our belongings when taking photos there and we heard stories of children becoming pros in pickpocketing. Would you apprehend a child if you caught him pickpocketing?
Facade of the Pisa Cathedral. It actually required us to buy entrance tickets to the Pisa Cathedral, but we found out that the ticket counter for Pisa Tower was giving out complimentary tickets to the Pisa Cathedral. So, few of us who were lucky enough to spot the chance, collected the tickets and headed into the cathedral.
It's another superbly designed cathedral, as beautiful as the one in Vatican City.
Souvenir shops were located right beside and outside of the Pisa Square, so it's pretty easy to get a souvenir from there. Lastly, a railroad nearby. It is reachable to Pisa via train, but still have to walk a distance to reach the square from the station.
NEXT - Monaco & Nice, France.
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