Best Places to Visit in Pisa, Italy

With a population of over 109 thousand, Pisa is set in Tuscany, central Italy, and features many palaces, churches, and bridges which span across the river Arno (one of central Italy's most essential Rivers after Tiber). As for the history, Ancient Pisae was said to be inhabited by the Ligurians before the Romans came, took it over, and made it a naval base in 180 BCE. But before that in 313 BCE, it was a Christian bishopric. After the Roman empire collapsed, it remained a principal urban center. And later in the 11th century, it became a thriving commercial center and still was that in the 13th century while being the chief port of Tuscany for woolen manufacturing. 

Currently Italy has a population of over 60 million, making it the 23rd biggest country in the world.

Here is a list of some of the best attractions to visit in Pisa, Italy...

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is most famous for its lean due to the settling of its foundation. In the 20th century, it was at a lean of 5.5 degrees and with some work was fixed to 4.0 degrees. Located in the city's cathedral complex, otherwise known as the Piazza dei Miracoli (translates to "Square of Miracles") or Campo Dei Miracoli ("Field of Miracles"). Back when it was originally built (1173), it was planned to be a bell tower with eight stories (around 185 feet tall) made of white marble. But when construction finished on the first three stories, the ground started to become noticeably uneven. Unluckily during that time Italian city-states broke out into war and construction was stopped for almost a century. Engineer, Giovanni di Simone was the person in charge when the project was picked back up. Due to the lean, he chose to make the new stories taller on the lower side but ultimately the extra material made it sink further. Many other engineers looked into it, and yet none could fix it, so in the 14th century it was finished with two spiral staircases. On one of the staircases there are 294 steps but the other side holds 296 steps due to the lean. Over time, four centuries to be exact, seven bells were installed (weighing up to nearly 8,000 pounds). In the early 20th century some of the heavier bells were not useable anymore, due to the worry it might worsen the lean. Fixing the lean was a project that seemed to never end, filling it with cement grout and various other materials for years, until in 1990 when engineers went into the ground and siphoned underneath the foundation. Finishing in May 2001, it was reopened and was shown in May 2008 on the sensors that it had stopped progressing. Expected to last for more than 200 years, the tower was finally stable.

Pisa Cathedral

This medieval Roman Catholic Cathedral of Pisa is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary when it was founded in 1064, with the help of the architects Buscheto and Rainado when they planned to build it in two parts. The funding for the construction was from the profit they received from the fight negatively aimed toward the Muslims in Sicily. It was somewhat completed in 1092. The building received its blessing on September 26, 1118, when it was consecrated. But wasn't fully completed till the 12th century when the doors received bonannoís bronze leaves. These details didn't last too long due to the fire in 1595 that destroyed many pieces. 

The oldest of the three structures (Pisa Baptistry and Campanile otherwise known as the Leaning Tower of Pisa) in the Piazza dei Miracoli.

Recent restoration took place from September 2015 to September 2018, during the 900th anniversary of the Consecration, to fix and maintain the original walls, along with the dome, that was starting to have plastering issues.

Pisa Baptistery

The Pisa Baptistery or the Baptistery of San Giovanni was founded on August 15, 1152. It was set to be dedicated to the Baptist John. Diotisalvi created the basic shape of the structure during its construction from 1152 to 1180. There is a pillar inside that states “Deotisalvi magister huius operis”, which translates to “Deotisalvi is the architect of this work”. Above the door, is a lintel (type of beam) that has carvings of Saint John's life. The main door is actually across from the cathedral, which is set to be located there for people that were just baptized to enter afterwards, to be purified of their original sins. There have also been ceremonies to show the rank of a person being promoted here since 1185. In the middle of the 13th century, baptisms were held here for all ages, where Guido Bigarelli da Como (Italian sculptor) worked.

This was the largest Cathedral in Europe, with a height of 55 meters and a circumference of over 100 meters, around 50 people can fit in it. But twenty years later it was replaced as the largest cathedral in Europe, by the Bell Tower.

The ground in Pisa, Italy is mainly sand and clay, which makes many buildings lean, which many architects have been struggling with since the beginning. The Pisa Baptistery actually leans 0.6 degrees towards the Cathedral. Inside, Nicola Pisano was an architect and a sculptor, who made the 1260s version of the pulpit (church stand), along with his son Giovanni. This was the moment “medieval” became their new “Modern”.

Camminamento in Quota Sulle Mura di Pisa

The Pisa Wall or Camminamento in Quota Sulle Mura di Pisa is the walls that surround the Piazza del Duomo, the construction lasted for 7 years from 1154 to 1161. The rest of the Old Citadel area was finished in 1284. The walls in the southern region were completed in 1186. With still more to finish like the towers, and the uneven ground in certain areas, they were finished over the span of 150 years.

The new citadel was created after the Florentine occupation took place during the 15th and 16th centuries, which is now known as Giardino Scotto. The city walls perimeter is 6,435 meters with an internal area of 201.8 hectares (a little over 2 sq. kilometers). The design of the walls followed the natural features of the area. By the mid-1800s, the city's development was mostly confined within the walls. The walls remained largely intact until the latter half of the 19th century when the city expanded, and the walls were not preserved and significant demolitions took place.

Museo dell'Opera del Duomo

The Museo dell’Opera del Duomo opened in 1986, with the help of the architect Guglielmo De Angelis d’Ossat who made the 6,000 sq meter building, with 28 rooms on three levels that housed over 750 pieces that covered 7 centuries of art history. The recent renovation of 2015 was aimed towards the idea of moving the wealthy new pieces to the whole building. This is one of the most important museums because of all the art pieces it holds. Some artists include Ghiberti, Donatello, Brunelleschi, Michelangelo, plus many more.

Upon first walking in, the first area is devoted to the Romanesque age of the Cathedrals. It then moves you to Pisan-style art period pieces, Baptistery gothic sculptures, and Mannerist marble and bronzes that are early 15th-century painted wooden crucifixes. One of the main artists is Giovanni and his father Nicola de Apulia, who both have sculptures on display here. Along with these artists like Tino di Camino, Lupo di Francesco, Andrea, and Nino Pisano. The Tower gallery has a group of half-length sculptures by Florentine Andrea Guardi, who introduced the Donatello style, seen in the last gallery, on the ground floor. In the sacred Christian part of the gallery on the top of the stairs is the choir area, and the clergy stand. Spinello Aretino’s painting hangs in the entryway from the carved Romanesque Christ, which encaptures the important paintings during the late Middle Ages. The images are accompanied by two Limoges reliquaries. A few steps forward is the textiles along with the goldwork that is collected around a funeral shroud of Emperor Henry VII. Next are three dedicated sacred vessels and liturgical vestments. The spaces in between are filled with rare and special books. Located right next to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the Pisa Cathedral, the Piazza del Duomo is one of the best places to sight see.

Orto Botanico di Pisa

The Orto botanico di Pisa, or the Orto Botanico dell'Università di Pisa is operated by the University of Pisa, and was established in 1543 by the renowned naturalist, physician, and botanist Luca Ghini (1490-1556), this botanical garden is one of the world's oldest. Initially situated along the banks of the Arno river, it was later relocated to its present site in 1591, gradually expanding to its current size of approximately two hectares (20,000 sq. meters). Within its grounds, a diverse group of plants from all five continents live, filled with succulents from the various landscapes of Africa and the Americas, aromatic plants found in the Mediterranean, Tuscan marsh species, a plethora of ancient trees, and numerous other botanical wonders.

Orto e Museo Botanico

Preserving the rich heritage passed down from the ancient Gallery that was founded in 1591 by Ferdinando I de' Medici, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, the Botanical Garden safeguards its illustrious legacy. Within the grounds, the Quadreria shows off portraits of respected botanists from the 17th century all in the entryway of the Gallery, and the "Studiolo," which is a storage room that holds botanical plant seeds, and equipment needed for the teaching of university botany since the late 18th century. Among these items are complex botanical models made of wax and plaster, as well as educational watercolor tables dating back to the 19th century. The collections also include preserved plants in vitro (to study how it reacts to different conditions), a xylotheque (houses samples of unique woods, educational models, botanical instruments, and paleobotanical collections). At the Botanical Museum, visitors have the opportunity to go on a virtual journey through the historical plant collections of the Herbarium (Herbarium Horti Botanici Pisani) using two multimedia stations. These collections are housed in the Palace, located in the Botanical Gardens, and are exclusively accessible upon reservation.

Pisa, Italy is filled with many special landmarks

Pisa is a city that captivates visitors with its timeless charm and iconic Leaning Tower. Stepping into history, this Italian city offers a perfect blend of architectural wonders, cultural richness, and a vibrant atmosphere. From exploring the historic Piazza dei Miracoli to indulging in Tuscan cuisine, Pisa leaves a lasting impression on all who walk its streets. Whether you're a history enthusiast, an art lover, or simply seeking an unforgettable travel experience, Pisa will not disappoint. With its unique blend of history, beauty, and warm hospitality, Pisa truly stands as a must-visit destination for any traveler. So, if you want to stay up to date on more travel blogs, follow my Pinterest. And as always…

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