Wednesday, January 7, 2009

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

The 'This Day in History' section features today the Leaning Tower of Pisa (Torre pendente di Pisa). Memories come back of last December when we visited Firenze(Florence) and Pisa. From Florence we took the train to Pisa. Remember walking towards the tower, thru the stone paved streets and the across the bridge, eyes towards the sky waiting for the tower to show up. And then, we come across the tower, leaning to one side at the Piazza del Duomo. Amazed, we stand there stupified, wondering if a push will make it fall. Of course a lot of people were trying to take photos, playing with visual illusions, trying to push or hold the tower.

There was the tower, tilted to one side. Against the clear sky that day, with the sun starting to set, the shadow falling on the ground, we waited our turn to go up the tower. The steps leading to the top of the tower showed age, showed the impressions of immumerable footsteps (wear and tear). Walking up the tower, round and round, one does feel the centre of gravity shifting. The fifth floor, gives you a chance to view the city and then wanting to reach the top. Once up there, the view is beautiful.

The chance to see and go up the tower of Pisa, one of the wonders of the world, was a dream. A dream carried on from the history books at school. And on 26th December, 2007, it came true. The tower of Pisa is a work of art as well as an example of conservation. Man and nature creating something extraordinary and beautiful.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

I've been there too, although I did not climb up the tower. It is a very nice place.

There's a post in English in my blog today, although it is not a very positive one.

Cheers,
Leo.