Pisa
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 16 September 2023
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Perhaps more so than any other place in the world, Pisa is a city that's defined by its most famous monument: the Leaning Tower.
Pisa was once one of the four powerful maritime republics of the Italian peninsula, rivalling the likes of Venice, Genoa and Amalfi during its golden age of the 11th to 13th centuries. It was during this time that the famous tower was built, along with the other signature buildings on the Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles), otherwise referred to as Piazza del Duomo by UNESCO who have listed it as a World Heritage Site since 1987. |
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The main sights on Pisa's Piazza dei Miracoli
The immaculately-mown lawns of the Piazza dei Miracoli separate the Leaning Tower from the Duomo (Cathedral) and the beautiful Pisa Baptistery. Flanking these three remarkable Romanesque structures, the square is edged by the monumental cemetery called Camposanto Monumentale on one side, and by the Museo delle Sinopie on the opposite side, housing a remarkable set of sketches that are part of the process of painting a fresco.
All of these elements combine to give Pisa undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and interesting squares anywhere in the world but the mistake that most visitors to the city make, is not exploring its other treasures that are just a short walk away. Pisa's University is one of the oldest and most prestigious of its kind in Italy, a fact that makes this a young, vibrant city with lots of great places to eat and drink.
The immaculately-mown lawns of the Piazza dei Miracoli separate the Leaning Tower from the Duomo (Cathedral) and the beautiful Pisa Baptistery. Flanking these three remarkable Romanesque structures, the square is edged by the monumental cemetery called Camposanto Monumentale on one side, and by the Museo delle Sinopie on the opposite side, housing a remarkable set of sketches that are part of the process of painting a fresco.
All of these elements combine to give Pisa undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and interesting squares anywhere in the world but the mistake that most visitors to the city make, is not exploring its other treasures that are just a short walk away. Pisa's University is one of the oldest and most prestigious of its kind in Italy, a fact that makes this a young, vibrant city with lots of great places to eat and drink.
Across the River Arno
Loosely-speaking, the city is split into two distinct areas, divided by the River Arno which flows through its belly. Everything to the north of the river is known as the Tramontana (also the name of the north wind), and everything to the south of the Arno is part of the Mezzogiorno (translates as midday), part of the city. The two areas are connected by the city's most important bridge: the Ponte di Mezzo (middle bridge) upon which a festival called the Gioco del Ponte takes place once a year, on the last Saturday of June.
One of the greatest things about visiting Pisa is that it's a relatively small city. The population, for example, is under 100,000 and it's easy to get around to see everything on foot. Considering its size, Pisa can boast a surprising amount of museums and galleries, among the best of which are the Palazzo Blu, the National Museum of San Matteo and the National Museum of the Royal Palace.
Loosely-speaking, the city is split into two distinct areas, divided by the River Arno which flows through its belly. Everything to the north of the river is known as the Tramontana (also the name of the north wind), and everything to the south of the Arno is part of the Mezzogiorno (translates as midday), part of the city. The two areas are connected by the city's most important bridge: the Ponte di Mezzo (middle bridge) upon which a festival called the Gioco del Ponte takes place once a year, on the last Saturday of June.
One of the greatest things about visiting Pisa is that it's a relatively small city. The population, for example, is under 100,000 and it's easy to get around to see everything on foot. Considering its size, Pisa can boast a surprising amount of museums and galleries, among the best of which are the Palazzo Blu, the National Museum of San Matteo and the National Museum of the Royal Palace.
Historic Pisa
Traces of Pisa's past can be found all over the city as you walk its wide boulevards and renaissance piazzas. The famous astronomer, physicist and engineer Galileo Galilei was born in Pisa and you can visit the house of his birth, the Domus Galileana on the beautiful street called Borgo Stretto with its elegant porticoes and historic palazzi.
There are also a number of squares in the city that if it weren't for the remarkable Piazza dei Miracoli just a short walk away would gain more notoriety. Among the best are the colourful Piazza Dante and the larger Piazza dei Cavalieri with its landmark buildings such as the Palazzo della Carovana, the Palazzo dell'Orologio and the beautiful Chiesa di Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri all vying for supremacy.
Traces of Pisa's past can be found all over the city as you walk its wide boulevards and renaissance piazzas. The famous astronomer, physicist and engineer Galileo Galilei was born in Pisa and you can visit the house of his birth, the Domus Galileana on the beautiful street called Borgo Stretto with its elegant porticoes and historic palazzi.
There are also a number of squares in the city that if it weren't for the remarkable Piazza dei Miracoli just a short walk away would gain more notoriety. Among the best are the colourful Piazza Dante and the larger Piazza dei Cavalieri with its landmark buildings such as the Palazzo della Carovana, the Palazzo dell'Orologio and the beautiful Chiesa di Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri all vying for supremacy.
Comune di Pisa
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Province: Pisa
Region: Tuscany Population: 89,002 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2023) Size: 185 km² Elevation: 4 metres Top sights: Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pisa Cathedral, Pisa Baptistery Recommended accommodation: Hotel di Stefano Close by: Marina di Pisa, Livorno, Viareggio, Lucca |
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Piazza del Duomo, Pisa
Year: 1987
Piazza del Duomo, Pisa
Year: 1987
Pisa Travel
One underestimated characteristic of Pisa is the ease with which you can reach it by air. Pisa International Airport sits at the very edge of the city centre, no more than 3 kilometres away. This is all enhanced greatly by the modern train system called the Pisa Mover which connects the airport with a large car park and the city's main train station, Pisa Centrale.
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Fly to: Pisa Airport - 12 minutes by car or 6 mins Pisamover (5 km)
By train: Viareggio - 12 mins, Livorno - 15 mins, Lucca - 27 mins |
