Torre pendente di Pisa - Pisa is more than the leaning tower

Yesterday, both of us did not feel like going outside because of the continuous rain. The visit to the old town was postponed to today.

This weather is not ours. We had imagined it differently. So again according to the motto 'The sun behind' see where just better weather is. We want to spend the winter in Sicily, now the question is whether we go there slowly over the mainland, or first to the islands of Corsica or Sardinia? The temperatures lure us to Sardinia. There is also Orkan aka 'Nurmalkurzraus', we would be happy to see him again and to drive beautiful off-road tours with him.

So we book spontaneously the ferry from Livorno, to Olbia. Livorno is 30 min south of Pisa. The app Aferry makes booking easy, the selection of ferries is just not so great, for lack of demand. Ferries are available in the evenings at 21 and 22 o'clock. We book one with Moby for the next day. Since we are out of the age, where one beats the nights around the ears, we book a cabin in addition. In addition, we have to fill out a form online that is needed to enter Sardinia because of Covid. We receive the confirmation online as an email, we do not need to print anything. Unfortunately, it is written on our ferry tickets that they must be printed out. Of course we don't have a printer on board. We are all the happier that we are at what feels like the friendliest campsite in Europe, because our tickets are printed for us immediately.

The next morning, unfortunately, the weather is not better than yesterday. It is raining and it has rained all night. The whole campsite is a mud bath. We let it go first time comfortably with a good cup of coffee. Slowly our neighbor campers leave the place, or they want to drive off, which is not so easy in the mud. Not everyone is as well equipped as we are, the fewest come out alone, but are pulled out by a small mini-bagger. Little by little new campers arrive, the reception sends them already first look on the place, 'because it is 'a little bit wet'. After several rounds over the place the new campers pull off again, too muddy. Not only Covid spoils the campsite's business, now the rain comes too.

Due to the advanced hour, we first prepare the car for the onward journey and fill all 3 water tanks and a Swiss Army water bag. Then we park Butch in front of the reception and de-mud first of all our feet & shoes.

Did you know that half of Pisa's 90,000 inhabitants are students? Pisa is home to several elite universities. We are looking forward to discovering the lively student city.

Our friend Micha from Cologne recommended this campsite Torre Pendente because, as the name suggests, it is within walking distance of the old town and the leaning tower.

The rain slowly subsides and we set off on foot to the old town. Just down the street and left, it can hardly be easier. After 10 minutes we step through the Porta Nuova of the city wall on the Piazza del Duomo. We are surprised how deserted it is here. Of course there are a few tourists, but not as many as we thought. We continue to the Piazza dei Miracoli. Around the square are virtually all the sights of Pisa close together.

The Duomo, the Torre pendente, the Baptistery, the Camposanto Cemetery, the Museo del Sinopie and the Museo Opera del Duomo.
The first thing that catches our eye is of course the leaning tower. Everyone knows it from photos. But did you know that this tower does not stand alone, but is the bell tower of the cathedral? After a few shots of the outside, we visit the cathedral. The visit is free of charge, but you need a ticket. The ticket office is quickly found and the ticket procured.

In the Museo del Sinopie there is just an exhibition of Igor Mitoraj, Since our Sicily vacation 3 years ago, we love this artist very much. Especially his statue in Agrigento has inspired us there.

Here in Pisa we find the "Statue of the fallen angel" the most beautiful. Who wants can visit the exhibition until 7.1.2021.

The few tourists on the square make all possible and impossible contortions for the best and most original photo with the leaning tower. Some support it with their hands, others kick it over, still others kick it away with their butts or wrap it in an ice cream cone. There are no limits to the imagination here. There are more than enough ideas on Instagram under the appropriate hashtag.

Do not be surprised that we are wearing a mask in the photos, here in Italy masks are compulsory in public places. Violations are punished with a fine of € 80, -. 

Back at the campground, we drive in the direction of Livorno. At the next opportunity we stop at a supermarket and fill up our supplies so far that we can manage a few days in an emergency. Then it's on to the ferry. We are well in time. We don't have to exchange our printed ticket for another ticket, we can check in directly. Now we have dinner, the bread is delicious and the octopus salad even more delicious. To top it off, we have tiramisu.

My conclusion: Pisa is small and fine, absolutely worth a trip.