I Love Travelling Across Italy - Western Tuscany, Part II
If you are looking for a European tourist destination, consider visiting the western part of the famous Tuscany region in central Italy. Depending on your interests, this beautiful area might be your ideal vacation spot. You can get classic Italian food, and wash it down with fine local wine. Many of the sites are very popular, especially in high season, but are well worth the visit. Be sure to read the companion articles in this series presenting eastern Tuscany and the Chianti region.
We go on with our tour of western Tuscany at Pisa and then go southwest to return to the coast at the major port of Livorno. We make our way south along the coast to the town of Piombino and then cross the Golfo di Follonica to the island of Elba.
Is there anyone who has not heard of the Leaning Tower of Pisa? (We'll skimp just a little on the foundation and nobody will ever know.) It began as a bell tower for the Duomo, built in the late Twelfth Century. There were problems from the beginning but the Tower has been stabilized and is safe for climbing, but you must be over eight years old. By the way, unlike Galileo (an unproven story), you aren't allowed to drop metal balls from the top to test gravity. Book ahead if you want to climb the Tower.
But Pisa is more than just the Tower. Make sure to visit the Gothic Battistero (Baptistery), which is famous for its acoustics. The Duomo is particularly known for its Fourteenth Century pulpit and Romanesque panels depicting the life of Christ. The Piazza dei Cavelieri hosts Renaissance palaces and the Chiesa di Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri church. Pisa is home to many museums and a University that hosts Europe's oldest academic botanical garden.
Livorno is known for two highly unrelated items, neither of which should attract many tourists. Way back in 1921 the Communist Party of Italy was founded in this port city. And the Leghorn chicken carries the English-language city name. The famous Galliano liqueur also comes from Livorno. But why would you want to tour this city? The lovely historic Venice district has all you would expect in an Italian town center, plus canals. In the hills close by you'll find the Sanctuary of Montenero, dedicated to Our Lady of Graces, the patron saint of Tuscany, which attracts many pilgrims. The Museo Mascagnano hosts operas during the season. There are fortresses and monuments and beautiful beaches nearby. The most famous dish is cacciuco, a stew made from at least five types of fish with garlic, tomatoes, red pepper, parsley, and toasted bread. The term "alla livornese" means cooked in tomato sauce with garlic and parsley.
The coastal town of Piombino was founded by the Etruscans. During World War II it was able to resist for some days an attemped sea invasion by German forces after the fall of the Fascist government; decades later Piombino was presented a Gold Medal for Military Valour. Sights to see include the Fourteenth Century Cathedral of Sant'Antimo, the Rivellino (Walls Tower-Gate), the city's oldest monument, the Chiesa della Misericordia, the Cassero Pisano (Castle), the Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall), a reconstruction of the Fifteenth Century, and the Thirteenth Century Casa delle Bifore (House of the Mullioned Windows). Close by is the Natural Province Reserve Padule Orti Bottagone.
Why not imitate Napoleon and tour the island of Elba off the coast of southern Tuscany? While the third largest of the Italian islands, it is quite tiny compared to Sicily and Sardinia. Elba's largest town is Portoferraio, an international tourist resort. Highlights include several forts, an archeological museum, and Napoleon's house. Capoliveri in the southeast of the island offers the following sights: The Focardo Fortress built by the Spanish in the Seventeenth Century, the Sixteenth Century Sanctuary of Madonna delle Grazie, Mount Calamita, the Apse of San Michele, and several great beaches.
About the Author
Levi Reiss wrote or co-authored ten computer and Internet books, but to tell the truth, he would rather just drink fine Italian or other wine, accompanied by the right foods. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. Check out his wine website http://www.theworldwidewine.com with a weekly column reviewing $10 wines and new sections writing about (theory) and tasting (practice) organic and kosher wines.
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