The famous Leaning tower of Pisa

Nonetheless referring to the Leaning Tower most people worldwide have in mind the incredible lines of the ‘Torre pendente’ of Pisa. Tourists flock to the informally named ‘Piazza dei Miracoli’ (Miracles Square) to admire the medieval masterpiece and possibly to take the ritual picture propping up the tower; some of them bravely take on the 296 steps to climb the tower and finally enjoy the fabulous view from the top. One of the recurring questions asked by the visitors was: is it unintentionally tilting or was it designed to be leaning? In general we don’t have much information about its construction but we know for sure was a mistake, a very lucky mistake. What is even more surprising and what the majority of tourists ignore is that the ‘Torre pendente’ isn’t the only leaning tower of Pisa! Actually the soil consisting mostly of sand and clay is the cause of inclination of another two bell towers.

The leaning tower of San Nicola Church

Specially famous for the Fibonacci sequence which is one of the most famous formulas in mathematics, the church of San Nicola is located in via Santa Maria. The original octagonal bell tower, the most characteristic of the city after the Leaning Tower, dates back to the second half of the 13th century and is slightly inclined and buried with respect to the current floor.

The leaning tower of San Michele degli Scalzi Church

The church of San Michele degli Scalzi is instead located in the homonymous square in the east of the city. The typical square-based bell tower is in stone in the lower part, while in the upper part it is in brick. The facade is decorated with Islamic ceramic basins from the 12th century. Placed on the side facing the Arno river, it leans strongly with a slope of 5% (more than the famous leaning Tower of Pisa).

Come with us off the beaten track on Dolcevitatour experiences to discover the pretty much unknown leaning towers of Pisa!!  Choose a daytour on www.dolcevitatour.it

The post The Leaning Tower(s) of Pisa first appeared on Dolcevitatour.

Tuscany is a region that has always been synonymous with excellent culinary traditions, first choice products and conviviality.
Are you planning a visit to the city of the leaning tower and want to know where to find the nicest and most interesting places to taste the local specialties? Pisa has in common with all the other cities of the region natural and artistic beauties, but it is also able to offer tasty and unmissable traditional dishes.

The food specialties

Typical Pisan specialties include some dishes shared with the rest of the Tuscan cities, in particular the appetizers made up of classic croutons, regional cured meats and cheeses: goodies to start what will surely be a meal with all the trimmings! We continue with the first courses: the pisano-style bordatino (a soup made with beans, black cabbage and yellow flour, typically winter), chickpea soup and the famous tomato soup, not forgetting spaghetti with clams and pappardelle with rabbit sauce. The second courses, on the other hand, include both meat (in particular game) and fish: eels on the knee (fried eels cooked in tomato stew), cod with leeks, stockfish with potatoes, pheasant, hare, fallow deer or wild boar and the classics little beans with bird.

The pisan wines

Usually when you talk about Tuscany, the most celebrated Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, Bolgheri come to mind. Actually, on this tour I wanted to learn about the different facets of the territory and of Pisan wines. And they are many: from the Tyrrhenian coast of Riparbella to the upper Val Cecina, from the Pisan Hills to Terricciola, up to the Etruscan Volterra. Among vineyards in areas still untouched, at altitudes ranging from 250 to 400 meters above sea level. Here the water mass of the Tyrrhenian Sea mitigates excess heat allowing an optimal maturation of the grapes.

Extra virgin olive oil of Monti Pisani

It is known that olive oil is a fat containing triglycerides (98-99%), of considerable interest as they control important biochemical mechanisms, and other compounds of considerable importance for conservation purposes. Among these: Vitamin E, Sterols, Polyphenols, Chlorophyll.
Tuscan Monti Igp Olive Oil “Monti Pisani” is one of the best, is an oil obtained from olives of the varieties Frantoio, Leccino, Moraiolo, hand-picked and cold pressed. The freshly pressed oil is more or less intense green in function of the degree of maturity of the olives, has a spicy taste, with a certain degree of bitterness; over the months, it tends to yellow, while retaining a fruity smell and taste.

Choose our Food & Wine walking tour, we will let you discover and taste the typical dishes and the best Tuscan specialties, walking in the historical center of Pisa.

Home Best Day Tours in Tuscany

The post Visit Pisa tasting the best food&wine in the city first appeared on Dolcevitatour.

The best month to visit Pisa? June, without any doubt. Not only for the beauty of the Arno river in the early summer sunsets, not only for the climate, not only for the nearby sea and the chance to go diving after visiting the Romanesque churches but above all for the Pisan June. In fact, this is a month full of anniversaries, historical events for the city that have turned into traditional festivals, re-enactments, exhibitions, exhibitions that let you know Pisa beyond the Tower.

Luminara di San Ranieri

The Luminara di San Ranieri falls every year on June 16: thousands and thousands of candles (almost one hundred thousand) are fixed on windows and on the doors of the palaces of the Arno river, the banks of the many bridges that overlook the river; at sunset it is their light that illuminates the city, a truly incredible spectacle that culminates with fireworks. The Luminara di San Ranieri is the party that brings together more than 100,000 people for one night, ready to celebrate on the Arno river and in the many squares where concerts, shows and street food are set up. To admire the light show reflected on the water, a walk along the Arno is a must, but the advice is to spend the rest of the party in Piazza delle Vettovaglie, the real center of the Pisan nightlife or in Piazza dei Cavalieri, with the historic facade of the Palazzo della Normale or the Leaning Tower with thousands of burning candles.

Palio of San Ranieri

The lights of the Luminara have just turned off and the city is still celebrating its patron saint with a historic regatta on the Arno waters in the afternoon of June 17th. The regatta takes place along a path of 1500 meters in vogue against the current, the boats used are inspired by the typical “Stefani frigates” of the Medici order of the Knights of Santo Stefano, the crew is made up of eight rowers, the helmsman and the assembler. It is the latter’s task to climb onto one of the 4 canapi that reach the top of a flagpole, placed at the finish line, and grab the blue palio, symbol of victory.

The Gioco del Ponte

At the time of the Maritime Republics, the Game of the Bridge was called the “game of mazzascudo”. Legends abound about its origins: a tradition of the carnival period, the evocation of an ancient battle; what is certain is that the last Saturday of June in Pisa is fought. The city is divided into Magistrates who take their name from the historic districts, on the Ponte di Mezzo the trolley is set up, a curious contraption that fighters must push on a sliding track towards Tramontana (the northern part of the city) or Mezzogiorno (the southern part ). The team that manages to push the opponent against their own side wins, often after long and grueling fights that can last even longer than an hour.
Although the flags of the Game flutter on the Bridge only one day a year the fans are rather turned on because the teams of fighters train throughout the year in their respective neighborhoods, the actual game is preceded by a historical procession in sixteenth-century clothes that parades through the Arno river.

https://www.dolcevitatour.it/tour-type/pisa/

The post The Giugno Pisano in Tuscany first appeared on Dolcevitatour.

The walls of Pisa are among the oldest in Italy to be almost completely intact. The construction of the first lot began in 1155 in the area that currently houses the Piazza dei Miracoli: the site was not chosen by chance, the walls were intended to protect not only the Cathedral and the future Baptistery but the most vulnerable point from the point of military view, or the bridge over the Auser to the north west of the city. This first band of the walls, erected to the north of the city from 1155 to 1161, was built in gray limestone, called San Giuliano marble, while for the walls erected in the subsequent phases, end of 1346, the pinkish stone of Asciano was used. The Walls of Pisa get ready for 2019 with a plan of special events, promotions and activities. As of December 31st, the experimental trial period ended to allow residents a first phase of full usability of the walls that had remained closed for centuries and could not be used.

The restoration

After years of restoration it is now possible to walk over these evocative walls, along a path three kilometers long, during the journey you can see towers and ramparts and walk over the four main access gates to the city: Porta Nuova in Piazza dei Miracoli, Porta a Lucca, Porta San Zeno and Porta Calcesana.

Timetables

from April 1st to May 31st and from September 1st to 30th Monday to Sunday from 9.00am to 7.00pm
from 1 to 31 eighth Monday to Sunday from 9.00 to 17.00
from 1 June 31st August, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday from 9.00am to 7.00pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9.00am to 9.00pm
from November 1st to February 28th Monday to Sunday from 10.00 am to 3.30 pm
Also open on December 31st and January 1st
from 1 to 31 march from Monday to Sunday from 9.00 to 17.00
The ticket office closes 30 minutes before the complete route, from the Torre Santa Maria to the wooden tower, takes about 1 hour. The route closes in case of bad weather

Accessibility

Access for visitors with disabilities at Torre Piezometrica, Piazza delle Gondole and Torre di Legno.
The path at altitude is accessible independently from the Torre di Legno to the Torre del Barbagianni and in the entire stretch from Piazza Gondole to Porta Manin.
Path partially accessible.

Come to discover Pisa and its treasures, book a walking tour of Pisa with Dolcevitatour.

www.dolcevitatour.it

The post Discovering the Medieval Walls of Pisa first appeared on Dolcevitatour.

Art and history, good food, the coast with the beaches and the sea, nature and culture: 3 days to discover Tuscany.
But also magnificent hilly landscapes and villages of incredible beauty. And then the sea and good food. Tuscany is the region that most concentrates on itself all the typicalities of the Italian landscape and of the Made in Italy lifestyle. It is no coincidence that abroad remains the most appreciated and envied region. To discover it, we offer five itineraries in Tuscany for three days to discover all the facets of a wonderful land.

1. Florence

Known by everyone as the cradle of the Renaissance, it offers interesting ideas for a weekend to remember. Do not miss the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi custodians of the greatest masterpieces of art. If you are romantic you can not miss the opportunity to take a walk on the Ponte Vecchio, maybe at sunset. Start from Piazza del Duomo and continue on your right, passing Giotto’s Bell Tower where, on the north-east side of the square, you will find the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, home to many artefacts and works of great artistic value, such as the original doors in gold of the Baptistery the interior is rich in some of the most beautiful masterpieces in the world.
Once in front of the museum, turn right into via del Proconsolo and take the second right again into via del Corso. Then take Via del Presto di San Martino, again the first on the right and the next on the left into Via Santa Margherita: you will arrive at the Casa Museo di Dante, where the famous poet lived centuries ago. At the next junction, take the road on the left via Dante Alighieri, which will take you back to via del Proconsolo.
On your left, at the corner with Via Ghibellina, you will be in front of the famous Bargello museum. Going on for a couple of blocks, turn right into via dei Gondi, which will take you to Piazza Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi, which can also be – literally – contemplated from the outside!

2. Pisa

One day in Pisa it is little but enough to admire one of the most popular destinations for Italian and foreign visitors: Piazza dei Miracoli. Starting from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II and hi to the Church of Sant’Antonio Abate, in the homonymous square, on whose external wall you can admire Tuttomondo, the last public work created by Keith Haring. We are moving towards Corso Italia, a shopping street that leads us to Piazza XX Settembre. From here passed the Ponte di Mezzo, I advise you to take a trip to Borgo Stretto, a narrow street very frequented and full of buildings and arcades of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Here, after about ten minutes of walking, the road widens in a large immense square: it is the famous Piazza dei Cavalieri where stands the Scuola Normale Superiore of Pisa, also known simply as “la Normale”.
In this prestigious public institute of high education and research have studied famous people including three Nobel prizes: physicists Enrico Fermi and Carlo Rubbia and the poet Giosuè Carducci. Another interesting building of this square is the Palazzo dell’Orologio, today the main seat of the Scuola della Biblioteca. The tower is above all known as Torre della Fame for the tragic death of Count Ugolino celebrated by Dante in the XXXIII canto of the Inferno.
Taking Via dei Mille and Via Santa Maria you finally arrive at Piazza dei Miracoli or Piazza del Duomo, included among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. What you see you already know: the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Campo Santo, and the Campanile, better known as the Tower of Pisa.

3. Lucca

You will be struck by its historic center, where every third Saturday and Sunday, the antiques market is organized that we advise you not to lose, as well as its sixteenth-century walls. Among its historical monuments you can visit the Duomo and the Palazzo Ducale. The Italian Museum of Comics is curious. How can you renounce to discover this beautiful jewel of Tuscany? Within its walls, Lucca presents a large area with limited traffic and cycle path that allows the people of Lucca to continue to live their life proudly away from the chaos and the modern traffic.
Together we will discover its beauties such as the Piazza San Michele in Foro, with the homonymous Romanesque church, Piazza Napoleone, from which you can admire the Palazzo Ducale and the Teatro del Giglio, we will reach the Cathedral of San Martino, which preserves inside the famous sarcophagus of Ilaria del Carretto, by Jacopo della Quercia, and the “Holy Face” of Christ. We will pass by the birth house of Giacomo Puccini and we will go through the characteristic medieval streets to reach the elegant Via Fillungo. We will admire the Guinigi Tower, the Piazza Anfiteatro and the Basilica of S.Frediano and we will not miss a walk on the famous sixteenth-century walls.
An unforgettable tour with the chance to see the city from above, the alleys, its most surprising squares and to appreciate the best that the land of Lucca has always been able to offer. 

You can come to visit the beautiful places of Tuscany, choosing a wonderful daytour with Dolcevitatour

www.dolcevitatour.it

The post Easter holiday in Tuscany first appeared on Dolcevitatour.

A very interesting area to discover Tuscany

Among fortresses, castles and a chartreuse jewel, in a breathtaking countryside where among the vineyards check out the amazing Teatro del silenzio signed by Andrea Bocelli.

The villages in the hills around Pisa

Over thirty municipalities have given away the Terre di Pisa project aimed at enhancing this corner of Tuscany. And since we are curious, we begin our journey among the less known places.
Few kilometers from Pisa, in a natural amphitheater at the foot of the Monti Pisani and at the center of the Valgraziosa, here finally Calci. Here we visit the monumental complex in Baroque style of the Certosa di Pisa, with the prior’s apartment, the library, the historical archive and the pharmacy, and the Museum of Natural History and Land of the University of Pisa that, in addition to hosting a one of the largest cetaceans in Europe, it boasts an important freshwater aquarium. Further east is the ancient medieval village of Vicopisano where you can visit the impressive monumental complex of the Rocca del Brunelleschi and Palazzo Pretorio.

Hidden places in Tuscany

At this point we take the road to Pontedera – where to stop to visit the Piaggio Museum, and then continue to Palaia, a village of Etruscan origin, which today presents a typically medieval structure with the fortress, in whose surroundings visit the Museum of the farming culture of Montefoscoli. In a holm oak wood near the village of Montefoscoli you can admire the nineteenth-century Temple of Minerva Medica, a mysterious and disturbing building that can be visited once a month on full moon nights.
Not far away, on a clayey spur, the small village of Toiano, almost completely abandoned, and Villa Saletta, which still features the typical structure of an ancient castle with walls and unique central street. After a stop in Terricciola, a wine town with some cellars where you can stock up on good bottles and visit the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Monterosso and the ancient Badia Camaldolese di Morrona, you can head south until you reach Lajatico.

The birthplace of Andrea Bocelli

Lajatico is an inhabited center of Longobard origin that gave birth to Andrea Boccelli, creator of the suggestive Teatro del Silenzio created by exploiting the natural conformation of a hill near the village. Nearby is the Rocca di Pietracassia, built in the Lombard period to guard the road that led to the copper mines of Montecatini and considered one of the most important examples of early medieval architecture in the whole of Tuscany.

Come to Tuscany and choose our daytours

The post In Tuscany… to discover the jewels of Terre di Pisa first appeared on Dolcevitatour.