|
|
|
Pisa Tour Stops:
Ponte di Mezzo and Arno River
Piazza Gerabaldi and Piazza Vettovagli
Piazza Cavalieri
Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles)
- Leaning Tower
- Cathedral
- Baptistry
- Campo Santo
- Museo delle Sinopie
- Palazzo Arcivescovale
|
Read short extract from the Pisa Tour:
Music . . . which fades into background as The Cicerone speaks . . .
Buongiorno. I am your Cicerone, your tour guide who explains the antiquities.
Walk with me through one of the most popular tourist sites in all of Italy,
the city of Pisa.
|
Most visitors arrive here by train, so we will walk from the train station to the
famous Campo dei Miracoli, translated as Field of Miracles. There we will visit the
Leaning Tower and other amazing buildings. The streets are clearly marked on your map.
Remember, as you walk that Via means street and Piazza means open space.
Whenever you hear this sound (TONE) please stop the cassette and walk to the next starting point
on your map. The walk to the tower should take about 30 minutes. Please turn off your tape
whenever you walk.
|
|
|
There is a tourist information office just outside the train station; you might like
to stop there to pick up a map of the entire city and information about some of the other
interesting sights in Pisa. Restrooms are limited on our walk and most require payment
for entrance. Take this opportunity to get change for the pay toilets and to use the
public restrooms here. With this little advice in mind, we can now prepare for our
visit of Pisa. Put on your good walking shoes, get a bottle of water and look on
your map for the bold arrow that says begin.
|
|
|
We begin our walk by crossing the Piazza Vittorio Emanuel onto to the street,
Corso Italia. We will walk straight north. Follow Corso Italia straight to the bridge,
which crosses the Arno River. This street is closed to traffic and it is always lively
for window-shopping. As you walk along, look about for the old palazzos, the homes of Pisa’s
wealthiest citizens during the Middle Ages. And please notice the open loggias or arcades
you will walk under.
|
These loggias have a distinguished history in addition to the welcome
shade they provide during the summer. The open-air wool and silk markets were held here
during the Middle Ages. Everywhere you visit in Tuscany, you will be reminded that the
wool and silk trade provided the wealth that fueled the region’s growth and building.
And remember that this was an end destination of the exotic Silk Road through China.
Stop the tape now and turn it on again when you reach the bridge over the Arno River.
This bridge is indicated on your map if you need help finding it. TONE
|
You should now be at the new bridge, the Ponte di Mezzo. The original, like all the
other bridges in Pisa, was destroyed during WWII. The large old building on the left is
the Palazzo Gambacorti, one of the Gothic palaces from the 14th century, which is now used
as the mayor’s office.
There is a history to this crossing place.
|
|
|
The ancient and colorful Gioco del Ponte takes place here every June.
It is a lusty and colorful contest, which originated in medieval times. This competition
started as a clubbing game, but it has evolved into a tug of war with carts that captures
the enthusiasm of the whole town. The people of the north side competing against the south
side of the river. Each side tries to tug a huge cart to their side of the river and the
ceremonies involve medieval costumes, pageantry and lots of fun.
End Excerpt
|
|
