Pisa: A One Hit Wonder

Contributing Writer: Alyssa Gregory
The Leaning Tower of Pisa, one of Europe’s most famous mistakes, because let’s be honest, if it was a normal tower nobody would drive all the way to see it.

Like most mistakes, it is not even noticeable from a long way off. The 4 degree lean, caused by a weak foundation on unstable soil, isn’t overly noticeable from afar. But if you look at the Tower with the cathedral in front, it is blatantly obvious something isn’t right because the Tower looks like a child peeking out from behind.
Pisa was just one of the stops during a day tour I took. At first I thought there was no way an hour could be long enough in Pisa, but honestly it was almost enough time to do see everything I wanted to. And I think the time would have been fine if I wouldn’t have had to wait in line for fifteen minutes to use the bathroom.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is found at the far end of Piazza del Duomo, right after the Cathedral and the Baptistery. Just follow the long line of people being photographed leaning into nothingness, at the end of the line you would have seen me!
Yes, for a brief 15 minutes I fell into tourist mode and snapped a few shots of me holding up the Leaning Tower. I’m not quite sure which is more famous the tower or the holding the Leaning Tower of Pisa photo. Pinteresting after, I’m kind of sad I didn’t get more creative with my pose. There’s lots of interesting variations of the pose out there.

Because of lack of time, I wasn’t able to climb the 296 steps to the top. Though after watching the passing scenery on my way to the tower I don’t think I missed out on much of a view. I still kind of wish I could say I’d done it. Plus, it would have taken care of 296 of the recommended 10,000 steps you’re supposed to walk a day and I would have been rewarded with a view.
Pisa is a must visit, though I wouldn’t plan a trip around it. Give yourself a couple of hours to explore and then move onto other towns like Lucca, a charming walled in medieval town packed with history.
Florence for Fun offers a combo city trip to Pisa, San Gimignano and Siena every Friday. So go snap your leaning tower picture and move on to the medieval city San Gimignano. Drink some wine and grab a cone of gelato made by the world champions. Then continue on to Siena and see the Piazza del Campo where the famous Palio di Siena horse race is held.