The Luminara di San Ranieri in Pisa
When he went back to his home town after a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, he retired in the monastery of San Vito, where he stayed until he died on June 17th, 1161. The legend goes that at his death all the bells in Pisa began to toll by themselves.
Since 1284, the year in which the Pisan fleet was defeated in the battle of Meloria, he has been the patron saint of the town.
Pisa and its inhabitants celebrate him between June 16th and 17th with the Luminara di San Ranieri and the Palio (for more information on the latter, read the following chapter of this tourist guide), on which occasion the districts of the town vie with each other in a regatta along the Arno.
What is the Luminara?
The following description may give you an idea thereof: lit by 70,000 small lights, or lampanini, the façades of the churches, palaces, towers and villas along the lungarni of Pisa are reflected in the Arno.
A tip for you: if you do not want to miss these two amusing and spectacular events, we suggest you to read the ads for holiday accommodations in Tuscany and rent a villa in Pisa or in its surroundings, instead of spending just a few hours in the town of Leaning Tower.