by SA Professional

Created on: July 29, 2009   Last Updated: July 30, 2009

Pisa's Delights: Shopping, Cuisine and Sightseeing!

There is surely more to the city of Pisa in Italy that just the fascinating Leaning Tower. Pisa resembles ancient architecture, sensitive residents, and a wealthy artistic heritage. All these contribute to the fact that the city of Pisa makes for a charming weekend getaway and even for longer holidays.

Some of the oldest monuments in Pisa date back to the 13th Century like the Campsanto Monumentale. The cemetery almost took 200 years to be completed! Legend has it that the cemetery is built upon land that was sprinkled with 'holy soil' brought from Palestine by Pisan crusaders.

Unfortunately, during World War II the cemetery's beautiful wall frescos were destroyed. It was once considered the largest painting series during its time. There's a Jewish cemetery nearby in Piazza dei Miracoli. Built in 1648, it is regarded being one of Europe's oldest Hebrew cemeteries.

The fascinating Piazza dei Cavalieri was once the seat of a military order called the Knights of St. Stephen. There is a statue of Cosimo I de Medici in the center of the square. The nearby Church of Saint Stephen of the Knights has a marble facade and ceiling of gold-painted wood.

There is a popular 'Pisa Game of Bridge' every June at the Mezzo Bridge which is the most central of the five bridges that link the city into a cohesive whole. Pisa is also loved for its beautiful building in the Lungarni quay area.

One of the world's most famous murals is the 180-meter 'Tuttomondo' in St. Antonio Convent near Piazza Vittorio Emmanuelle II. Designed by Keith Haring (1958-1990), it features 30 characters blending together to represent peace and harmony in the world.

When dreaming about your trip to Pisa, one can not help to think about the diverse cuisine that combines the best of the sea, farm lands and hilly landscape known for its grain, vines and olives. The typical dishes you can savor in Pisa include tomatoes named Pisanello, the special Pecorino cheese, Monte Pisano, famous olive oil and lamb the Parco di Migliarino way.

Tuscan bread sans salt is the base of any Pisa meal. First-course soups with bread, bean or Pappa with cabbage soup in the Pisan style is absolutely delectable. In addition, the Pisan cooks have a secret preparing the most delicious mussels; regretfully they won't tell you their secret ingredients!

There are all-category hotels dotting Pisa. However, while not holed up in your hotel room you can go shopping for fine crafted terracotta, beautiful shoes, hand crafted leather goods and captivating wooden furniture at the market named the Piazza delle Vettovaglie situated in the center of Pisa.

The market is surrounded by a 16th century portico. This market is held on the second weekend of each month. During July and August, the Piazza dei Cavalieri streets are the setting for a huge open market. You can also pay a visit to the intriguing antique market in Pisa and those at Borgo Stretto are worth mentioning seperate.

Transport arrangements are not a problem seeing that the city of Pisa is well-connected by rail, road, and air to all the main cities in Italy.

One important thing apart from all the other interesting places mentioned, before returning home, don't forget to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa!

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