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    Tourist Attractions in Pisa

    The most interesting tourist attractions places in Pisa. Photos and a brief description.

    Pisa
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    About Pisa

    The small Italian city of Pisa has become famous all over the world for its leaning tower. Almost all organized tours in Italy include a visit to this unusual attraction, which has been at risk of finally falling for more than a century and is held only thanks to constant work to strengthen it. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is located on Piazza dei Miracoli (“square of miracles”). There are several other architectural masterpieces here. The ensemble of the square is included in the UNESCO list.

    There are other equally interesting and picturesque places in Pisa. The popular is the urban quarter of Borgo Stretto, which is an example of medieval buildings typical of Western Europe of the XIII-XIV centuries. A mandatory point of visit in Pisa should be its wonderful museums, where you can admire the works of sculptors and artists who worked during the Middle Ages and Modern Times.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Pisa

    Leaning Tower of Pisa

    The most famous landmark of Pisa, known all over the world due to a mistake made during construction. The structure is part of the architectural complex of the Pisa Cathedral and is its bell tower. The tower was built during the XII- XIV centuries according to the project of B. Pisano. Almost immediately, the construction began to deviate from the vertical axis, which is why work was constantly suspended. The defect could not be corrected, but the inexorable fall of the tower was stopped by fixing the roll at 3.54 °.

    Leaning Tower of Pisa
    The Cathedral of Pisa

    The Cathedral of Pisa

    The Cathedral church of Pisa, located in the Piazza del Duomo. The architectural complex includes the cathedral building itself, the bell tower (the famous leaning tower) and the baptistery. The ensemble was built during the XI-XIII centuries in the "Pisan" Romanesque style, which combined elements of the Lombard, Byzantine and Islamic manner of construction. White and black marble were used in large quantities in the decoration of the facade and interior.

    St. John 's Baptistery

    Magnificent Gothic building of the XII-XIV centuries, built by the architect Diotisalvi. The Baptistery is considered the largest in Italy. The height of the building reaches 55 meters, the diameter of the ring of walls is 34 meters. According to the original project, the structure was planned to be built in the Romanesque style, but the duration of construction work of almost 200 years allowed adding more elegant features of the Gothic style to the appearance.

    St. John 's Baptistery
    Campo Santo Cemetery

    Campo Santo Cemetery

    The necropolis of the XIII century, located in the northern part of the Piazza dei Miracoli. It was assumed that a church was to be built on the site of the cemetery, but during the work the project was changed. Campo Santo is a rather unusual place, as the burials are located in a stone wall under the arches of an arched gallery that will surround the courtyard. There are three chapels on the territory of the cemetery. Until the XVIII century, representatives of the upper strata of Pisa were buried in this necropolis.

    The Borgo Stretto quarter

    A historic urban area located in the center of Pisa. From an architectural point of view, it is a classic "stone bag" with narrow streets, houses characterized by deaf medieval walls, and small picturesque squares. Nowadays, numerous street restaurants with excellent Italian cuisine, souvenir shops, coffee shops and counters with various delicacies are concentrated on the territory of Borgo Stretto.

    The Borgo Stretto quarter
    Knights Square

    Knights Square

    For many centuries, the square has been an important public place where government decrees were announced, victories were celebrated and the political situation was discussed. The Piazza was built in the Early Middle Ages on the site of the former Roman forum. It is surrounded by palazzi and administrative buildings erected mainly in the XVI-XVII centuries. In 1406, the independence of Pisa was declared in the Square of the Knights.

    Caravan Palace

    The building of the XVI century, which previously served as the house of knights belonging to the Tuscan Order of St. Stephen. The building was built according to the project of architect D. Vasari. Nowadays, a higher educational institution is located on the territory of the palace. Visiting the palazzo is possible only during the absence of lectures. The facade of the building is painted in the sgraffito technique, it depicts zodiac signs and symbolic figures surrounded by floral ornaments.

    Caravan Palace
    Synopsis Museum

    Synopsis Museum

    The museum presents fragments of frescoes (more precisely, sketches for frescoes) that previously decorated the walls of Campo Santo. After the Second World War, during restoration work, these images were found under the upper layers of plaster. In addition to the blanks for frescoes, in the museum you can see a model of the Campo Santo cemetery of previous eras and an installation dedicated to the problem of strengthening the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

    Opera del Duomo Museum

    The museum's collection consists of works of art that previously decorated the walls of the Cathedral of Pisa and the Baptistery of St. John. The exposition is located in a building of the XII century, previously used as a seminary and Academy of Fine Arts. The museum houses valuable sculptures created by T. Di Camaino and D. Pisano in the XIII century, bronze doors made in the XII century, as well as frescoes, paintings, clothes and other exhibits belonging to the XVII-XVIII centuries.

    Opera del Duomo Museum
    San Matteo National Museum

    San Matteo National Museum

    The exposition is located in the monastery of the same name. It is dedicated to the cultural history of the Middle Ages and contains priceless works of art created by Tuscan masters in the XII-XVII centuries. The works of D. Pisano, B. Berlingieri, B. Buffalmacco, S. Aretino and other sculptors are exhibited in San Matteo. It also houses Donatello's famous work, the bust of San Lussorio. In the museum you can look at medieval manuscripts dating from the XII-XIV centuries.

    Palazzo Blue Museum

    Palazzo Blue is an art museum located in a historic mansion of the XIV century, which previously often changed owners and belonged to various families. Until 2001, representatives of the noble Julie family lived in the building, then it was transferred to the jurisdiction of cultural bodies. After the reconstruction, the palazzo housed an exhibition consisting of works by D. Batista, J.-B. Demare, D. Bezzuoli, F. Bellonzi and other artists.

    Palazzo Blue Museum
    Church of Santa Maria della Spina

    Church of Santa Maria della Spina

    The temple of the XIX century, built in the Gothic manner on the site of the old church of the XIII century. The church facade is distinguished by a rich decor and an abundance of elegant details. The interior space looks quite modest compared to the exterior decoration. The most important relic of Santa Maria della Spina is the tabernacle, in which, according to the Christian faith, once in the XIV century the thorn from the crown of thorns of Jesus was kept.

    Church of São Paulo Ripa d'Arnot

    The temple of Romanesque architecture, the first mention of which dates back to the X century. Previously, it played a rather important role in the religious life of Pisa, so the unofficial name "Duomo Vecchio", which means "old cathedral", was assigned to the church. Inside the temple there are several ancient relics: a Roman sarcophagus of the II century, a crucifix created in the XIII century, as well as frescoes of the XIII-XIV centuries, painted by B. Buffalmaco.

    Church of São Paulo Ripa d'Arnot
    Basilica of San Piero Grado

    Basilica of San Piero Grado

    The temple of the IX (X) century, erected on the site of an early Christian oratory. Even earlier, Roman residential quarters were located here. At this very place, in 44, the Apostle Peter celebrated his first mass. The church is located in the town of San Pietro a Grado, which belongs to the Pisan commune. The painting of the interior walls of the basilica dates back to the XIV century and later periods. The temple is a valuable monument of Romanesque architecture.

    Citadel with Guelph Tower

    The building of the XIII century, erected on the embankment of the Arno River. Previously, the citadel with the adjacent tower was part of the city's defensive fortifications. At the beginning of the XV century, the military garrison of Pisa was located here. For many centuries, the citadel performed a protective function. During the Second World War, the building was severely damaged as a result of bombing. In 1956, it was restored, trying to give the original appearance.

    Citadel with Guelph Tower
    Ponte di Mezzo Bridge

    Ponte di Mezzo Bridge

    A small central bridge over the Arno River, located near Santa Maria della Spina. All tourists who go from Pisa Central Station to Piazza del Duomo, where the Leaning Tower of Pisa is located, pass through it. The bridge offers magnificent views of the river, embankments and old houses. The structure itself is made in a rather modest manner without any architectural excesses.

    Arno River

    The waterway of Tuscany, which originates in the Apennines and flows into the Ligurian Sea. The river flows through Florence and Pisa. The length of the Arno is 248 km . It flows through picturesque plains, hills, vineyards, cypress groves and fields, which make up the pastoral landscapes of this part of Italy. Periodically, the river overflows its banks as a result of floods. The largest natural disaster was recorded in 1966.

    Arno River
    The Botanical Garden of Pisa

    The Botanical Garden of Pisa

    The garden was founded in the XVI century by the botanist L. Ghini at the expense of the Tuscan ruler – Duke Cosimo I. It is considered one of the oldest botanical gardens not only in Italy, but also in the whole world. In 1595, a building was erected here, in which the Institute for plant research is located. The plant diversity of the garden unites about 550 species collected from different parts of Europe and the world. The arboretum is managed by the University of Pisa.

    Scotto 's Garden

    The garden is located on the southern bank of the Arno on the territory of the Citadel of Nuova fortress, which was founded in the XV century. The landscape park was laid out in the XIX century according to the project of D. Kaluri. The Scotto Garden hosts various social events such as concerts, theater productions, museum exhibitions and film screenings. The park is planted with picturesque Mediterranean vegetation. It is an ideal place for relaxing walks.

    Scotto 's Garden
    Migliarino Nature Park, San Rossore, Massuccoli

    Migliarino Nature Park, San Rossore, Massuccoli

    Regional Park of the Province of Tuscany, created in 1979. There are several ecosystems on the territory of the reserve: swamps, sand dunes, a lake, a coastal zone. The park is home to a wide variety of birds. The towns of Torre del Lago and Massuccoli are located within the reserve (the composer D. Puccini lived here for a long time). The administration is located in a villa of the XIX century., which is also a local landmark.