Pisa: Trying to Catch the Tower’s Lean

We never give much thought about our stop in Pisa. We go to visit Robert’s distant cousins and we seem to forget there is a lovely city there to visit. Like last time we arrived in the early evening, went for dinner and then walked around the town until midnight. At least this time we had the sense to book a room in town. Last time we foolishly stayed in an Airbnb near the airport. 

This time we also had some time to walk around town the next morning before meeting the family. We were struck by the similarity of the architecture in Pisa and that of Florence.

Once again we saw the Duomo and Leaning Tower in darkness. Fortunately the Italians spend loads of money to light up their monuments at night.

We had a very nice, long lunch with the family. This time we also got to meet Piero’s daughter, Myriam. It was interesting to learn this time that Piero and his sister Simona (in the flowered dress) come from a long line of very successful, highly educated women. Their grandmother was the first woman student at the university of Pisa and graduated as a dentist. Their mother was a Pediatrician and Simona is a child psychiatrist. Piero is an accomplished poet and songster and daughter Myriam is an actress and singer.

The Arno river runs through the center of Pisa as well as Florence and offers lovely views. Included in these photos is the statue of Garibaldi. Here are a few more photos.

We saw this church down the river and had to investigate since the architecture is so different from everything else.

Near the relative’s house we came across a large lily pond - something very unusual. 

Here is how capers grow on walls (the green plants in the wall) and they even bloom. If you look closely, under the flower you can see a couple of capers.