PIsa
Italy: A Semester Experience from Megan Fowle
My name is Megan Fowle. I am a junior at Gettysburg College, and I am a history major with a minor in education. Eventually, I hope to attend grad school to study library science. This semester, I am studying at the Syracuse University of Florence.
Photo Credit: Megan Fowle
1.Where have you been in Italy?
I am living in Florence, so I have been all around the city, but I have also traveled to Ravenna, Assisi, Sienna, San Gimignano, Pisa, Venice, Perugia, and Rome.
2.What’s it like?
Wow, I can barely begin to describe how awesome it is. At first, it was a little scary. I had taken Italian, but I would always be a little nervous when I had to use it in a real situation. I am living with a host mom, and that is one of the greatest experiences. It really gives me a chance to practice my Italian, and to get a better understanding of the culture, more so than if I was in an apartment. Now that I have been here for three months, the city is definitely beginning to feel like home. It was weird when I realized that, because I had been traveling over fall break for ten days, and I came back to Florence, and realized that I had really missed it, and that it felt like I was coming home.
3. Favorite place in Italy?
My favorite place in Italy is definitely Florence. That is the city that I have seen the most of, obviously, but I really love the feel of it.
Photo Credit: Megan Fowle
4. Least favorite?
My least favorite that I have seen was probably Venice. When we went, it was raining and the square was flooded (which was a little cool, but kind of a nuisance after a while.) Also, the only way to really get around is the vaporetto (watertaxi), and it is super crowded. Plus, a gondola ride is actually around 70 euro, so we did not get to do that. (Sorry that sounded like a rant, Venice is beautiful, just not everything I thought it was going to be. )
Photo Credit: Megan Fowle
5. What have you been doing over the semester in Italy?
I am taking classes at the Syracuse University of Florence. Aside from studying, I have been traveling a lot. Our school has free weekend trips to all of those towns that I mentioned earlier. If there is no weekend trip, I have been trying to see as much of Florence as possible. During the week, I have class, but the school offers a lot of other activities that I have been taking part in. There are cooking classes, and those are definitely my favorite extra activity that I have taken part in.
Photo Credit: Megan Fowle
6. Favorite thing that you’ve eaten?
My favorite thing that I have eaten is definitely gnocchi. It is potato pasta. I learned how to make it at one of the cooking classes, and it is relatively easy to make. I also have a great love for balsamic vinegar. Italians put that, and olive oil, on everything!
Photo Credit: Megan Fowle
7. Most amazing thing that you’ve seen?
Wow, there have been so many, it is going to be hard to choose one! I think that the most amazing thing I have seen was when I was in Rome, and I watched the sunset over the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. It was absolutely beautiful!
Italy: Pisa
Ever wanted to go see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, or how about the Piazza dei Miracoli? Would you like to go see The Fountain with Angels? Or maybe a trip to The Cathedral is more your style? All these can be discovered in this blog. Enjoy!
Leaning Tower of Pisa: The construction of this imposing mass was started in the year 1174 by Bonanno Pisano. When the tower had reached its third storey the works ceased because it had started sinking into the ground. The tower remained thus for 90 years. It was completed by Giovanni di Simone, Tommano Simone (son of Andreo Pisano), crowned the tower with the belfry at half of 14th century. The top of the Leaning Tower can be reached by mounting the 294 steps which rise in the form of a spiral on the inner side of the tower walls.
Piazza dei Miracoli: The monuments which transform a common name of square into the “Piazza dei Miracoli” are: the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Bell or Leaning Tower and the Monumental Churchyard. A combination of works of architecture and sculpture which rise stately and austere, but at the same time refined and full of charm, placed around a wide tender green lawn. It is in this natural simplicity that the white marbles, so highly worked and rendered precious by human genius, have found a perfect setting. In the evening the sight is perhaps even more beautiful because as the sun sets a dim and soft illumination substitutes its light, rendering the play of lights more suggestive and penetrating.
The Fountain With Angels: The origin of this beautiful piece of art from 17th century is simple – a source of water for Pisan citizens… In 18th century, during era of Operatio Quarantotti, was simple fountain rebuilt and equipped by marble Baroque sculpture of three angels sculpted by Flaminio Vacca.
The Cathedral: This grandiose masterpiece of Romanesque – Pisa Style was started in the year 1063 by the great architect Buschetto. It is therefore, the first work undertaken in the spot that became later the “Piazza dei Miracoli“. It was possible because of the enormous wealth amassed by the powerful Sea Republic which at that time Pisa was, particularly after a successful excursion on Palermo. The Cathedral, designed in Latin-Cruciform, basically has a romanesque architectural style, but at the same time interprets and absorbs elements of various styles, forming thus a unique style which has something of sublime. The Cathedral was adorned through the years with numerous works of art.Giovanni Pisano is certainly the artist who excels in these works, especially because he has given us the famous, extremely rich and ingenious Pergamo (Pulpit).
Of The Italian Life 