Day 41 Livorno, Italy

June 29

Today we  jumped on a bus to Pisa, followed by a trip through the beautiful Tuscany countryside to Florence, to see the Statue of David.

Pisa's Campo dei Miracoli is home to the world famous Leaning Tower or Campanile (bell tower). What they call the "Field of Miracles", also encompasses the Duomo and Baptistery. The Leaning Tower took over 177 years to build and had been leaning since construction began in 1100's.

When I visited the Academia (Academy of Fine Arts) in Florence in 2004 to see David, he was covered in scaffolding. He had to be restored after some nutter took to him with a hammer. Michelangelo's statue of David is the most impressive sculpture I have ever seen, and I can understand why he is so important to the people of Florence. When Florence had an earthquake in recent times, residents called the police to make sure David was okay. And normally I would be upset that you are not allowed to photograph him, however you really need to see him with your own eyes. The photos would not do him justice. The marble that was used for the sculpture of David was given to Michelangelo. The man who gave it to him (can't remember the name), claimed the statue was his, because it was his marble that he gave to Michelangelo.

Another legend tells that when Soderini, the head of the city council, came to see the finished David, he told Michelangelo that the nose looked too long. Michelangelo climbed to the top with a handful of plaster dust and pretended to chisel, letting the dust fall to simulate actual carving. "Much better," remarked Soderini when Michelangelo had finished. Funny stuff.

One for the kids. This ship was docked at the port of Livorno.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Piazza del Duomo di Pisa. We were the first tour group to arrive in the morning, which is great to avoid the crowds, however these buildings were all closed until after we left and the sun is not in a good spot for this shot.

The Baptistry. 

The Duomo.

This is a section of marble on the outside of the Duomo. The story is, the markings are left by the devils fingernails, he taps away at the marble when the local university students are praying before their exams.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa. There are 293 steps to the top. The soil that many of the historical buildings are built on in Pisa, are just 6.5 feet above sea level, making for an unstable foundation.

Tuscany countryside.

There are many kilometres of nurseries like this one on the way to Florence from Pisa. Unfortunately we were not on the right side of the bus for the marble capped mountains (looks like snow).

Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as The Duomo, is the largest masonry dome in the world. It was built in the 1430's.

The Duomo. 

The Baptistery opposite the Duomo. It is 300 years older than the Duomo.

The doors of the Baptistery. 

No idea where we wandered to in our free time, but it had a carousel.

Palazzo Vecchio (the old town hall) in Piazza Signoria. 

Fountain with King Neptune statue in Piazza Signoria. 

A 19th century copy of Michelangelo 's David. The original David stood here for 350 years before it was moved to its current location in the Academia. Whilst the original David was here, he lost a part of his bottom and an arm broke off, both were repaired.

The Ponte Vecchio. When the bridge was built in the 14th century it was lined with butcher stores, but today they're are mostly gift shops. It is the only bridge in Florence to have survived WWII intact. The bridge spans the Arno River at its narrowest point.

Church of Santa Croce. This 14th century church is the final resting place for Michelangelo and Galileo, and other nobles.

Some dudes chilling next to the river Arno. I thought they were naked at first.

Tomorrow we arrive in Monte Carlo.