Directly west of Florence is Pisa, the city of the Leaning Tower. Until 15C a seaport, Pisa is now 6 miles inland due to deposition of silt by the Arno River. The city was prominent as a major trading center in 12C (200 years earlier than Florence). It gave birth to many pre-Renaissance artists--Nicola, Giovanni, and Andrea Pisano--and later to Galileo Galilei. Unfortunately, the city chose the wrong side in the battles between papists and imperialists, and by 1300 had been surpassed by Florence, Lucca, and Siena. It suffered massive destruction during World War II but has since been extensively rebuilt and is an attractive, if not beautiful, city.

The centerpiece (and quite honestly about all it has going for it today) is the Piazza del Duomo, still in fine condition. First in the piazza is the cathedral (1064, restored around 1600) with its magnificent facade, bronze doors, and gilded ceiling.

Next is the beautiful Baptistry (1153-1278), containing a breathtaking pulpit by Nicola Pisano (1260). The sound file records the caretaker demonstrating the amazing acoustics of the circular domed building. He sings each of the three notes himself, and the echo makes it a chord!