PISA. The countdown has begun. The magic of the Luminara, the highlight of June in Pisa, returns tomorrow evening (Sunday 16th). The show will once again be guaranteed by 100 thousand wax “light bulbs” positioned on white painted wooden frames, the so-called “linens”, which will once again illuminate the windows, balconies and silhouettes of the 140 buildings overlooking the Arno. The party will end at 11pm with the traditional fireworks, fired from the ten stations set up in the Arno which will illuminate the festively dressed Lungarni. A great evening dedicated to the city’s patron saint, San Ranieri, among rites and traditions that are lost in the mists of time. This year, among the new features there will be the baptism of the new linens, starting with the one in Ponte di Mezzo, dedicated to San Ranieri, and ending with the one that will frame the church of the Spina, completely restored. The arrangements were prepared well in advance to allow for interventions and eliminate any “holes” in the buildings overlooking the river. And then there will be the new “caps” of the better performing candles, compared to past editions, tested in recent months, wind and rain proof.
Power on
Around 3pm, around 190 workers will come into action and will work alongside the staff of the Municipality and the company in charge to begin, one by one, the lighting of the 100 thousand candles along the Arno rivers, between the Cittadella bridge and the Fortress bridge, up to arrive at dusk when, with the switching off of public and private artificial lighting, the Lungarni will begin to immerse themselves in the magical evening of San Ranieri.
Illuminated tower
The Leaning Tower will also pay homage to the patron saint with an extraordinary lighting from sunset until 1.30 am, while access to the Cathedral will be allowed until 11.30 pm to allow Pisans to go and pray on the remains of the city’s patron saint.
Palio of San Ranieri
The rowing prize, promoted by the Municipality, also returns on Monday, the day of San Ranieri. The race is held in the Arno between four crews representing the four historic districts of the city (San Francesco, San Martino, Santa Maria, Sant’Antonio). Each crew is made up of eight rowers, a helmsman and a “fitter”. The latter must climb a ten meter high flagpole, placed at the finish line on a floating platform, and recover the flag which symbolizes the conquest of the “Paliotto”. The start of the Palio, at 7pm, takes place from the headquarters of the Arno rowers. The arrival, after a journey of 1,500 meters against the current, at the Scalo dei Renaioli. A party with many side events.
Blue Palace
The Lungarno Gambacorti museum center will be open on the occasion of the Luminara until midnight. For the occasion it will be possible to visit in particular the exhibition “Manuele Fior. Viaggio a colori”, curated by Giorgio Bacci, and “Ancient and modern: Dolfo sculptor in the home of Palazzo Blu”, curated by Ilario Luperini in collaboration with the Dolfo archive. On Monday, Palazzo Blu will be open during public holidays, from 10am to 8pm. The exhibition on Manuele Fior is a colorful journey through the original plates of four graphic novels that cover 15 years of the illustrator’s intense creative activity. The tables belong to the works “Five thousand kilometers per second”, “The Interview”, “Celestia”, “Hypericon” and represent a precious opportunity to enter the fascinating world designed by Manuele Fior, one of the greatest international talents in the field of comics and illustration.
Homage to the Tower
From today until September 30th the exhibition “The Tower in the Mirror” will be held in the exhibition space of the Palazzo dell’Opera del Duomo. The many lives of the Bell Tower of Pisa Cathedral”. Conceived and organized by the Opera della Primaziale Pisana on the occasion of the 850th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone of the monument, the exhibition is curated by Stefano Renzoni. Through over 100 works, including drawings, engravings, paintings, sculptures and photographs ranging from the 13th century to the contemporary, the exhibition aims to illustrate how the perception of the most famous bell tower in the world has changed over the centuries. The figurative arts demonstrate how the identity of the Tower and the meaning attributed to it have profoundly changed, with the change of sensitivity and also of the times. Every Friday evening from 8pm to 10.30pm (last shift at 10pm) residents and students will be able to enter for free with reservation at the Impegno&Futuro cooperative.
Works by Paolo Staccioli
The exhibition “Paolo Staccioli. A traveler fascinated by the ancient”, organized by Castagneto Banca 1910 and set up at the Museum, placing this contemporary master in a place of great charm, presenting a rich exhibition of ceramics and bronzes. They are the warriors, the travellers, the horses, the boats, the towers, the extraordinary vases, the elements that outline Staccioli’s “pilot book” which unfolds in the museum rooms. The exhibition can be visited until September 21st.
The Game in celebration
The colors of the Tramontana judiciaries of the Gioco del Ponte are ready to invade the shops of Borgo and San Francesco, creating a magical atmosphere in view of the challenge scheduled for June 29th. An initiative of the Parte Boreale in collaboration with Confesercenti Toscana which will make the main commercial axis of Tramontana truly special. These days the shops are setting up their windows with the Game material that is given to them by the command. «An initiative that aims to prepare the city even more – explains Tramontana general Matteo Baldassari – for the challenge on the bridge, involving the commercial activities of Borgo and via San Francesco. A city that now breathes the air of challenge and which also presents itself to the tourists who already flock to our historic center in an even more particular way. Thanks to Confesercenti Pisa and its president Fabrizio Di Sabatino for having accepted our invitation to collaborate.”
Walls of June
Today and next Saturday, at 6pm, the walls of Pisa will also open to events with a walk at 11 meters high admiring the city’s beauties. Guided tours themed “Pisan June”. Double departure at 6pm and 6.30pm from the Piezometric Tower. Adult ticket: 8 euros, 3 euros for children up to 8 years old. Information and reservations (1.50 euro advance sales fee) on the website www.muradipisa.it or by calling 0500987480 or at the Torre Santa Maria ticket office during opening hours.
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