Fact Sheets & Video - Italy

Pisa is the Italian city recognised around the world for one thing, it's famous leaning monument, which also happens to be Italy's most famous mistake, the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Standing at 55 metres tall, the Leaning Tower of Pisa has been leaning almost since building work first began more than 800 years ago in 1173.

It was closed to the public in 1990 because of safety fears, but is now open again for the public to enjoy and climb its 294 steps to the top. Interestingly, because the Tower tilted in different directions in its first years, it is now slightly curved.

But there's more to Pisa than just the leaning tower. The tower itself stands in the Piazza dei Miracoli, a piazza that rivals that of Venice's Piazza San Marco in beautiful buildings. The Leaning Tower of Pisa isn't the only tower that leans in Pisa, there's the San Michele degli Scalzi, which some consider to be "the real" leaning tower of the city as it leans even more than the most famous building. Nearby, the gorgeous Tuscan town of Lucca is one of the few cities in Italy that still has its original medieval city walls standing today, just as they did in the 16th century.

Lucca is also the birthplace of Puccini, one of Italy's most famous composers. Every July and August the Puccini Festival is held in an open-air theatre with some of his famous operas performed. The summer nights are filled with the sounds of La Boheme, Madame Butterfly, Turandot and Tosca.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

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Thai Airways International fly return to Milan- From: $1762 ex west coast. $1870 ex east coast Valid for travel 4/10/07 to 11/11/07 and 17/1/08 to 24/2/08. For more information, visit www.thaiairways.com.au Prices correct at 16/8/07.Prices available online and include surcharges, fees & taxes, subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.

Hotel Granduca- Rooms from $204 a night twin share. Includes breakfast . Valid 15/9/07-31/10/07. For more information visit www.citholidays.com.au or call 1300 36 1500. Prices correct at 16/8/07.Prices available online and include surcharges, fees & taxes, subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa- See it on the web at http://torre.duomo.pisa.it

Italian Government Tourist Office

PO Box Q802 - QVB NSW 1230

Level 4, 46 Market Street

Sydney NSW 2000

Ph: 02 9262 1666

Fax: 02 9262 1677

Email: italia@italiantourism.com.au

Or visit: www.italiantourism.com.au