The Cappella della Madonna di Vitaleta on the road from Pienza to San Quirico d'Orcia

In 2001 I came to live in Italy. I had some fun, wrote a journal and this is the blog of my story...

"Tuscany is a state of grace. The countryside is so lovingly designed that the eye sweeps the mountains and valleys without stumbling over a single stone. The lilt of the rolling green hills, the upsurging cypresses, the terraces sculptured by generations that have handled the rocks with skillful tenderness, the fields geometrically juxtaposed as though drawn by a draughtsman for beauty as well as productivity; the battlements of castles on the hills, their tall towers standing grey-blue and golden tan among the forest of trees, the air of such clarity that every sod of earth stands out in such dazzling detail. The fields ripening with barley and oats, beans and beets. The grape-heavy vines espaliered between the horizontal branches of silver-green olive trees, composing orchards of webbed design, rich in intimation of wine, olive oil and lacy-leaf poetry. Tuscany untied the knots in a man's intestines, wiped out the ills of the world. Italy is the garden of Europe, Tuscany is the garden of Italy, Florence is the flower of Tuscany." Irving Stone from my favourite book " The Agony and the Ecstacy" A fictional biography of Michelangelo



141. Luminari di San Ranieri - Pisa

After witnessing the San Giovanni celebrations in Florence and in particular the fireworks on several occasions, this year we've decided to check out neighbouring Pisa's version of their patron saint's day, or evening to be specific, the lesser known San Ranieri.



We make the 80 km drive to Pisa after work and arrive at around 9.30 pm. Of course we are usually here to visit the leaning tower with guests, so it's interesting to see another side of the city. On this special day parking is a problem, but eventually we find a space! The centre of Pisa has been turned into a huge street market and the place is heaving with bodies!


We head to the river Arno, where all the action seems to be and are greeted with a spectacular sight... all along the river candles have been placed around doors and windows - apparently some 70,000 of them! illuminating the buildings. At just after 11 pm there is a firework display and we both agree it is a little better than the one in Florence!



The celebrations continue well after midnight and we stay soaking up the atmosphere...

Viva Pisa!

(Original journal entry 16/6/04)
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