Pisa and Lucca: A Tale of Two Cities

Pisa is most famous for its Leaning Tower, but 1,000 years ago chroniclers claimed it was "the city of marvels with 10,000 towers."  While clearly an exaggeration, Pisa was a thriving cosmopolitan city enjoying a period of unprecedented power and wealth in the 11th century. Pisan merchants brought in new styles of art and architecture from all over the Mediterranean. By the 12th century, Lucca had emerged as one of the leading trading centers in Tuscany specializing in silk. Like Pisa, it's wealth and importance was reflected in the art and architecture of the city.  Join Renaissance art historian Elaine Ruffolo for a careful look at these two cities which were once major players on the Mediterranean stage.