November 29, 2010

Revolting Students Target Tourist Sites

Filed under: London, Pisa, Rome, Travel News, World News — admin @ 9:24 pm

Some of Italy’s best-known tourist attractions have been targeted by students protesting about funding cuts.

In Pisa, dozens of students forced their way into the Leaning Tower, while others formed a cordon to prevent tourists from entering. A banner was unfurled on the tower. In Rome, students occupied parts of the Colosseum, unfurling banners and letting off flares.

It was the second day of demonstrations – the previous day, students had managed to force their way into the Italian Senate in Rome.

The protests were the latest in a wave of demonstrations against austerity measures in Europe. In London, there have been two big demonstrations against a proposed increase in university tuition fees, with some violence and damage.

by Andy Moreton

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May 30, 2008

Pisa Looks For Crowd-Pleaser

Filed under: Italy, Pisa, Tuscany — admin @ 9:43 pm

The first major fresco to be painted in Italy for more than two centuries is starting to take shape in the city of Pisa, famous for its leaning tower.
The 1,700 square ft painting will tell the story of Ranierus, Pisa’s patron saint, in eight huge scenes across an entire wall of the Church of San Vito in the city centre.
The artist is 37-year-old Luca Battini and, in the best Renaissance tradition, he invited 100 prominent Pisans to represent leading figures in the fresco.  He then held public castings to find 150 extras, all of whom will appear life-size in the work.

pisa.jpg
Battini is under no illusions about the size of his three-year task.  “The whole city feels very strongly about St Ranierus and there is huge pressure.  Everyone has an opinion on how the fresco should be painted.”

by Andy Moreton

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