I haven’t thought of including Pisa in my itinerary. When Ate Inday (Genivive Salinas) told me that it’s just an hour from Florence, second thoughts of dropping by before going to Venice was my initial schedule. After finalizing my itinerary, I figured it out that my May 9 was vacant and I can use it in going to Pisa.
Right away I checked my Eurail schedule and I also have one day left unused. I decided to use it then. I checked with Trenitalia website and got a round trip train reservation for my Pisa getaway.
Early Wednesday morning, I head off to Roma Termini. I took the 7am trip from Rome to Pisa. The journey will take 3 hours. On board Eurostar bound for Pisa in Roma Termini. I was excited since this will mark as my first ever train experience in Europe. I learned that platform assignments on departing trains is updated only 5-10 minutes before departure. You must have to arrive ahead of the schedule so as to monitor which platform you will be boarding once it will update on the train schedule board. Eurail Pass holders are entitled for a first class accommodation and it was cool.
The train departed on time unfortunately we arrived 30 minutes behind schedule. I was in a hurry since I lost 30 minutes on my planned 1 hour and 30 minutes Pisa escape. My initial plan of walking around to get to the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa was changed to taking a taxi to save time. I paid Euro 6 and it took me fast to see this lovely creations.
The taxi dropped me just inside the compound. I saw the Cathedral, the Tower and the Baptistery. It is such a brilliant creation during the medieval Europe. The Tower is said to be the campanile of the Cathedral. It was really leaning. As per Wikipedia, before it was leaning at 5.5 degrees but now it’s only 3.99 degrees. With time constraint, I immediately feast myself on the fantastic views and took several photos for souvenir.
There were lots of tourist in the area and lots of souvenir shops as well. Souvenir prices starts from EUR 1 – 50 depending on your choice. You can always ask for a discount.
One thought of mine if really the tower was leaning and it was! Now that I was there and saw it with my very own eyes, I can really say the name “Leaning Tower of Pisa” is true to its description.
I took a lot of selfie. I just managed taking myself some pictures when I happen to pass by a couple also taking selfies, I offered a hand and in return they took pictures of me also. Thanks to them!
I was supposed to climb the tower but due to time constraints, I wasn’t able to do it. Still I make the most out of my purpose in coming to Pisa, it’s because of the tower.
The tower was made of marble so as with the Cathedral and the Baptistery. It’s not that tall just like a seven-floor building but you can really notice that it’s leaning. If you’ll come closer, the base was uneven that it’s deeper on the other side and shallow on the opposite. It was said that during the construction, the soil was not stabilized as it is softer on one side than the other. Adjacent to it was the Cathedral. Unfortunately, I haven’t gone inside since I was in a hurry but the church looked stunning. Same with the Baptistery, I haven’t gone inside too.
I just spent 30 minutes and headed back to Pisa Centrale. I hailed a taxi near the area, good thing that I immediately got a taxi from there since only few are coming inside the place.
In the train station, I just waited for awhile and the train back to Rome arrived on time and we reached Rome on schedule also.
Been here: May 9, 2012
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