The Leaning Tower of Pisa (torre pendente di Pisa) is the campanile, or freestanding bell tower, of Pisa Cathedral. It is known for its nearly four-degree lean, the result of an unstable foundation. The tower is one of three structures in the Pisa’s Cathedral Square (Piazza del Duomo), which includes the cathedral and Pisa Baptistry. The height of the tower is 55.86 metres (183 feet … Continue reading Pisa, Italy: The Leaning Tower
Sixty years ago today, the Andrea Doria — a 701 foot long ocean liner operated by the Italian Line — sank some eleven hours following a collision with the Swedish Lines’ S.S. Stockholm in heavy fog off the coast of Nantucket Island, Massachusetts. Forty-six people died in the disaster. The ship capsized and took her final plunge at 10:09 local time the morning of 26 July 1956. Continue reading Andrea Doria Sinks – 26 July 1956
Italy has long been on my Bucket List, particularly the medieval city of Florence, capital of Tuscany region. Although I was interested in the history of this area beginning in my late teens, my interest was really piqued by reading novels by Dan Brown and Steve Berry in particular. I’ve recently been following the Italian adventures of my Aunt Edwina via Facebook during what I … Continue reading Florence, Italy – Duomo di Firenze
A fellow resident of my apartment building knows of my love of postcards and recently gave me this one picturing the Rialto Bridge, one of four spanning the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. The original bridge near the Rialto market on the eastern bank of the canal was wooden and built in 1255, consisting of two inclined ramps meeting at a movable central section which … Continue reading Venice, Italy – Rialto Bridge
Postcards to Phuket 