Have to say I wasn't really looking forward to another harrowing drive north and there were a few times, when faced by 3 or 4 possible exits, when a very quick decision had to be made! One of those decisions was wrong, but after a U-turn it was all fixed. I'm quite happy driving on the "wrong" side of the road now, and quite used to changing gears with my right hand -- but I'll NEVER get used to the Italian drivers!!! Daily, we see drivers crossing double lines and over-taking around blind corners. Double parking, or parking anywhere they like. Phew.
PISA
I wasn't expecting to be impressed by the learning tower (because it's shown everywhere and so over-done) but impressed I was! It's quite a different matter being there and standing at the base and thinking about the history and the brilliance of the people involved.
Our first view:
The leaning tower was built simply as the bell tower for the cathedral. Some bell tower! It took over 100 years to build.
The medieval cathedral is Santa Maria Assunta (St Mary of the Assumption).
Others failed, but Daryl actually helped to hold the tower up!
The magnificent round building at the back of the cathedral is the baptistry.
A view of the cathedral from the baptistry
AND NOW on to ...
LUCCA
Lucca started even before Roman times. The Roman street plan is still preserved behind the medieval wall that surrounds the whole town.
We entered through St Peter's gate:
A typical portcullis (vertically opening gate found in medieval fortifications)
Three happy chappies .....
We didn't know that the wall was so wide that it was planted with trees and cars could drive around on top of it!
We could see fish in the moat on the outside of the wall
And inside the walls .....
And one of my heroes -- Puccini (born in Lucca).
His operas are among the most well-known (Tosca, La Bohème, Madame Butterfly, Turandot).
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