Where is the city of Pisa? Sights of Pisa, Italy: photos and descriptions, must-sees, interesting facts and reviews from tourists. Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta

Pisa, who hasn't heard of this city? I think everyone has heard it and, of course, first of all associates it with the most famous leaning tower in the world. This article will talk about what we saw in Pisa, what surprised and pleased us, what can you see in Pisa, besides the leaning tower? How much does all this fun cost and where is the best place to park your car in Pisa.

Even though the guidebook said that Pisa is still not popular with tourists, I would say that this is not true. There are a lot of people in Piazza dei Miracoli. In the rain it was still okay, but as soon as the rain stopped there were three times more people.

The construction of the magnificent cathedral, the cathedral bell tower (Leaning Tower of Pisa) and the baptistery marked only one historical event - in 1069, the army of Pisa expelled the Saracens from Sicily. The victory was so large-scale that the city received huge funds and Pisa’s role as a powerful maritime city was strengthened. Fortune favored Pisa for three hundred years. Later, Pisa came under the rule of Florence, and the port moved to Livorno.

We parked in the underground parking lot under Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II. Underground parking is always better than street parking, since street parking requires prepayment, and tourists usually do not know how long they will be walking around the city. Using underground parking, you can relax and not have to keep track of time, since the fee is charged when leaving.

Parking lots along the streets are tightly packed, and finding a free space is problematic.

Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, Pisa

Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II is located one and a half kilometers from the Field of Miracles, so called Piazza dei Miracoli. This is where all the main Pisa attractions. On the one hand, it’s not the closest place, but it will allow you to walk around the city a little, look at the embankments of the Arno River and the streets of this ancient Italian city.

Arno embankment

The river is treacherous and prone to overflowing; it is to save from this disaster that such high embankments were built.

And in the church of Santa Maria della Spina an important Christian shrine is kept - a thorn from the crown of thorns of Christ. “Spin” in translation means “thorn”.

Church of Santa Maria della Spina (Pisa)

Of course, all tourists rush to look at the leaning tower first. There is a fee to visit all sites in Piazza dei Miracoli.

Ticket prices

In total in Piazza dei Miracoli you can visit:

1. Sinopia Museum— there are sketches of famous Italian painters and an exhibition of works by the famous Polish sculptor Igor Mitoraj
2. Cathedral and Cathedral Museum
3. Baptistery
4. Medieval cemetery

Accordingly, the price for:

1. One museum from the list - 5 euros
2. Two museums from the list - 7 euros
3. Three museums from the list - 8 euros
4. Four museums - 9 euros (children under 10 years old free)

However, entrance to the Leaning Tower of Pisa itself costs as much as 18 euros. and there is no discount for children to enter the tower. Children under 8 years old are not allowed to visit the tower for safety reasons. I think this is how the authorities limit the flow of people. You can book a ticket for the tower. When purchasing at the box office, your turn may come 2-3 hours after purchasing your ticket. And in general there is quite a crowd at the box office.

We started at the Sinopia Museum, which is where we bought our tickets.

Museum of Sinopia in Pisa

The layout of the main square of Pisa shows exactly everything you will see, but in miniature.

Model of the Square of Miracles in Pisa

All the walls of this small museum are covered with barely noticeable sketches of frescoes. The sketches have not been preserved in some places, and it is quite difficult to imagine the entire plot of the fresco from just fragments of the sketches. These sketches or synopses were found under the rubble of the destroyed Camposanto cemetery.

The museum hosts temporary exhibitions of contemporary art. We just got to the exhibition of works by the famous Polish sculptor Igor Mitoraj - “Angels”. More information about the sculptor can be found on the Wikipedia website. Most of the sculptures are very large, such as the blue face, which is 3 meters high.

Sinopia Museum - exhibition of sculpture by Igor Mitoraj - Angels

The exhibition by Igor Mirotai is part of the program celebrating the anniversary of the laying of the first stone of the Pisa Cathedral. 950 years have already passed since this significant event.

Sinopia Museum - exhibition of sculpture by Igor Mitoraj - Angels

This is the first time that an exhibition of contemporary sculpture has been held in the Field of Miracles of Pisa. With this event, the organizers want to demonstrate the connection between eras.

Sinopia Museum - exhibition of sculpture by Igor Mitoraj - Angels

Sculptures by Igor Mitoraj adorn many European cities and even the Vatican. We liked the exhibition and were impressed by what we saw.

Baptistery of Pisa

The baptistery is a baptismal area. Construction took place from 1152 to 1284, but the baptistery took its final form in the 14th century, when the Gothic dome was built. It seems that the inside of the baptistery is much larger than the outside. This is probably because there is a lot of free space there.

Baptistery

There is a large font in the center of the room. We climbed the ramp to the upper gallery, it was not difficult at all. A narrow staircase is located between the outer and inner walls of the baptistery.

Baptistery of San Giovanni, Pisa

The Pisa Baptistery is the largest in Italy and is famous for its excellent acoustics.

Fragment of the outer lining of the font of Guido da Como (1246)

There are ancient graves in the floors and everyone walks on them; from the point of view of the Russian tradition, walking on graves is somehow bad, but obviously the Italians have a different opinion.

Tomb in the baptistery

Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta

The appearance of the cathedral combines three architectural traditions - Roman, Islamic and Byzantine, due to which a new style, Pisan Romanesque, appeared. Both outside and inside the cathedral looks simply superb. Looking ahead a little, I will say that the Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore seemed to me much less interesting compared to the Cathedral in Pisa.

Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta

The space above the altar is decorated with a magnificent mosaic by Cimabue “The Savior on the Throne”. The Byzantine influence is felt in the mosaic; a similar image of Christ can be seen in Russian churches, which inherited icon painting traditions from the same Byzantium.

Pisa Cathedral - central nave

The granite Corinthian columns of the cathedral previously decorated a mosque in Palermo, and were taken to Pisa after the capture of Sicily. The apse contains the noble tomb of the Holy Roman Emperor Henry VII, who died in Pisa in 1313.

Tomb of the Holy Roman Emperor Henry VII

The relics of Saint Ranieri stand in plain sight in a glass coffin. Still, the usual non-transparent sarcophagus is somehow more familiar. It didn’t seem to me that the relics were so incorruptible, but I’m not an expert in the degree of preservation of holy bones; admirers of the Saint know better. Saint Ranieri is revered as the patron saint of Pisa; holidays are held in his honor - on June 16th there are fireworks and illuminations, and on June 17th there are sailing races.

Incorruptible Relics of Saint Ranieri in a glass coffin

The monumental pulpit by Giovanni Pisano also survived the ill-fated fire of 1595.

Pulpit by Giovani Pisano (1302-1310)

Previously, the pulpit was displayed in the baptistery, but now it has been moved to the cathedral. The attention to detail is amazing, very fine work.

Campo Santo Cemetery

Unfortunately, Pisa became a battlefield during World War II and was heavily damaged by Allied bombing in 1943. The Camposanto cemetery was destroyed and was restored in the post-war years, many of the frescoes were irretrievably lost.

"Camposanto" means "holy field". This place was chosen for the main city cemetery back in the 13th century and was built up at the end of the 13th and beginning of the 15th centuries. In plan, the cemetery is a rectangular cloister, surrounded by a very simple garden.

Campo Santo Cemetery

According to legend, the soil was brought to the cemetery in the 13th century from the Holy Land specifically for the burial of noble citizens. The idea of ​​burial in the Holy Land is not unique; for example, the famous Ossuary in the Czech Republic also appeared thanks to the tradition of burial in the Holy Land.

Campo Santo Cemetery

Famous people and clergy are buried on Camposanto today. The cloister amazes the imagination with a colossal variety of funerary monuments from ancient Roman sarcophagi to completely modern sculptures

Campo Santo Cemetery

As a result of the bombing of the Allied forces, almost all the frescoes that once adorned the walls were destroyed. A significant part of the fresco “The Triumph of Death”, painted by an unknown artist in memory of the plague epidemic in 1348, has survived. To preserve the fresco, it was removed from the wall and displayed under a protective screen in one of the halls on the north side of the cloister. There you can also watch a documentary about the restoration of the cemetery after the war.

Campo Santo Cemetery

For some reason, next to the Leaning Tower of Pisa there is a copy of the Roman sculpture of the she-wolf who suckled Romulus and Remus.

Roman she-wolf in Pisa

And finally, about the main decoration of Piazza dei Miracoli, the leaning tower.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

The leaning tower is the bell tower of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, this is the Italian architectural tradition of building the cathedral, bell tower and baptistery in the form of three separate buildings.

Leaning Tower of Pisa - a white marble beauty

Construction of the famous Leaning Tower began in 1183. By the time the tower reached about a third of its height, it began to tilt due to the instability of the ground. Trying to correct this mistake, other architects began to build the tower at an angle, so its shape resembles a flat crescent. construction was completed around 1350. Since then she has continued to bend over.

Pay attention to the boats depicted on the wall

Interesting images on the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The ships commemorate the fact that Pisa was a powerful maritime city in its heyday.

I can’t imagine what the dragon has to do with it, probably something religious.

Reliefs decorating the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Experts predict that it will eventually collapse. For at least a hundred years, architects from around the world have been offering their solutions to the problem. The latest measures are the use of counterweight systems and the removal of soil, which reduced the tilt of the tower and possibly extended its life for several more centuries.

A few devils on the column capitals

Galileo Galilei himself, a native of Pisa, used the tilt of the tower in his experiments. The Inquisition condemned the scientist for heresy because he believed that the Earth revolves around the Sun, and not the Sun around the Earth. Only in 1992 did the Vatican officially admit that Galileo's theory was correct, it took them almost 500 years to realize that they were wrong, what could be more conservative than religion?

All these people are taking pictures with the Leaning Tower of Pisa, without their help it would definitely have fallen, we also contributed to its support. We observed a similar scene.

All these people are taking pictures with the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Well, the simple, unfamous houses of Pisa don’t look as well-groomed as the Field of Miracles. The paint was peeling, the shutters were lopsided. But this is Italy, even the paint falls off there in a highly artistic way.

Pisa street

On some houses, the plaster has fallen off in places, and all this is some hundred meters from Piazza dei Miracoli.

Call for Palestine

Probably people from Palestine are demanding freedom for their historical homeland.

Church of San Sisto (1133)

Cavalieri Square

The central square of medieval Pisa is believed to have been built on the site of a Roman forum. This square already dates back to the period of Florentine rule. In front of the palace there is a monument to the Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo de' Medici I.

Sights of Pisa - Pisa what to see? Hotels, all about Pisa, photos of Pisa, how to get to the city of Pisa?

City of Pisa (Pisa), located in the north, was one of the largest Italian cities, a powerful maritime power, an eternal rival, and. Today the city no longer has access to the sea - but can still be easily reached due to the fact that Pisa is only a few kilometers from the Tyrrhenian coast - but its fame continues to resound throughout the world. Of course, we are talking about the famous tower, tilted from its vertical axis. But the leaning tower is just one of many attractions in this city of Greek origin. Having been in the shadow for centuries, which is located at a distance of about seventy kilometers, it is safe to say that Pisa can “give a head start” to the capital of Tuscany, because this city “hides” so many magnificent churches, towers, historical buildings and beautiful residences that during A walking tour through the streets of Pisa will simply take your breath away.

Most of the tourist beauty is concentrated in Piazza del Duomo, where the Leaning Tower of Pisa stands. Here you will also see a surprising number of souvenir shops offering tourists miniature replicas of the tower in all different aspects (even towers that glow in the dark). The Leaning Tower of Pisa owes its worldwide fame to Galileo Galilei: legend says that the philosopher, in order to demonstrate the law of falling bodies, climbed this tower and threw objects made of various materials from above.

Everyone thinks that the Tower of Pisa is a completely unique phenomenon. However, there are still many historical buildings in the city, leaning like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The fact is that the Pisa soil consists of clay and sand, which over time leads to displacements in the structure of the foundation of ancient buildings. Thus, the bell tower of the Church of San Nicola has a slope of 2.5 degrees, and the bell tower of the Church of San Michele Scalzi has the same slope as the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

How to get to Pisa?

The famous city of Pisa is easily accessible by car and bus via the motorway, by ship from the nearby port of Livorno, by train and of course by air thanks to Galileo Galilei International Airport.

By plane

The international airport, which is located in Pisa, is named after the famous physicist Galileo Galilei. It is located just 5 minutes by bus, train or car from the city center. This is a large international airport that serves international and national airlines; tourists fly here to then travel to various cities in the Tuscany region (for example, Siena). To easily book tickets to Pisa, visit the large air ticket search engine Aviasales.ru, where in a matter of minutes you can select the desired flight and pay for the trip.

Landing at Pisa airport, you can easily reach the city center. You can take the train connecting the airport arrivals terminal to Pisa train station.

In addition, there is a bus service from the airport every 10 minutes (line LAM Rossa) that connects the airport with the Central Station and the city center of Pisa. The bus station is located outside the airport - on the arrival side. By the way, there is a bus from Pisa airport to Florence train station.

The most convenient way to get to Pisa from the airport is to book an airport transfer to Pisa. This solution can be very beneficial for a group of tourists of 3-4 people. To get around the city, you can order a taxi in Pisa with a Russian-speaking driver. You can select and order a transfer through the convenient Kiwitaxi service: you just need to choose where and where you need to get to. At the specified time, in the specified place, your personal driver will be waiting for you with a sign with your name.

By train

Pisa Central Station (Pisa Centrale) is one of the main transport hubs at the regional and national level. From here it is easy to reach Florence and other Italian cities.

The station is located on the southern edge of the historic city center, approximately 1.5 km from the airport and two hundred meters from the Piazza Sant'Antonio suburban bus station.

Outside the train terminal you will find a taxi rank and bus stops with lines that take you directly to Piazza dei Miracoli and Galileo Galilei International Airport. There is a storage room inside the station.

For information on train departure and arrival times, visit www.ferroviedellostato.it.

By car

If you rented a car (you can book a car on the Rentalcars website, like the portal “Italy in Russian” already), then you can get to Pisa as follows:

From Florence- take the Firenze-Mare A11 motorway, exit at Pisa Nord, then take the SS1 Aurelia towards Pisa Sud (approx. 6 km); alternatively via Florence-Pisa-Livorno (FI-PI-LI), exit Pisa Nord-Est (to Cisanello Hospital), Pisa Airport, Pisa Aurelia (Leaning Tower of Pisa).

From Rome, Bologna- take the A1 motorway to Florence, then take the A11, exit Pisa Nord, then take the SS1 Aurelia towards Pisa Sud (approx. 6 km). Alternatively, from Rome you can take the A12-E80 to Civitavecchia, then the E80-SS1 Aurelia to Rosignano Maritime and then the A12-E80 to Pisa (Pisa Centro).

From Genoa- take the A12 Genoa-Rosignano motorway, exit Pisa Nord, then take the SS1 Aurelia towards Pisa Sud (approx. 6 km).

Access to the historic center of Pisa by car is generally prohibited.

By bus

1) From Florence airport

The center of Pisa can be reached directly from Florence airport and train station. The service is provided by Terravision.

2) Suburban buses

Pisa is served by the transport company CPT, which covers most of the province, by Lazzi buses, which connect Pisa with Lucca and Viareggio, and by Vaibus, which connects Pisa with Lucca and Pietrasanta.

3) Intercity buses

Pisa is served by intercity bus lines that connect it to various Italian regions, mainly in the south-central area:

1. Bus lines Simet - Calabria (arrival Via Pietrasantina).
2. Sena bus lines - Marche, Abruzzo, Apulia, Calabria, Campania, Sicily (arrival Via Pietrasantina).
3. Bus lines Moretti - Basilicata.
4. Bus lines Marozzi - Basilicata and Puglia.

View of the Apuan Alps from the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Photo by Thinkstock

Where to stay in Pisa?

Pisa is a relatively small city, whose population does not even reach 100,000 people, but the places for recreation and stay of tourists are numerous and can satisfy every visitor to the city: those who want to stay in the comfort and luxury of five-star hotels, and those who want to spend less , saving for something fun.
If your budget is limited, choose three-star hotels, of which there are many in the city, especially in the historical center.

If you think where to stay in Pisa, then our portal “Italy in Russian” advises you to visit the website Booking.com, where you can view numerous offers from the most popular hotels in the city. Below we provide a short list of the best hotels in Pisa, according to guest reviews.

4 star hotels

Address: Via Giuseppe Mazzini 57, Pisa
Visitor rating: 8.4 out of 10

Located in the historic center of Pisa, a 5-minute walk from the train station, the elegant Hotel Bologna offers cozy rooms with private facilities (free Wi-Fi, minibar, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, large windows, wooden floors and heating ) and transfer to the airport.

Breakfast at the Bologna Hotel is served as a buffet of fruit, cold meats and fresh pastries, which can be enjoyed on the hotel's courtyard terrace. The bar offers free tastings of traditional Tuscan products.

Campo dei Miracoli and the Leaning Tower of Pisa are a 12-minute walk from the hotel, while the motorway connecting Pisa with Florence and Livorno is 3 km away.

Room price - from 50 euros/day.

Address: Via Filippo Mazzei 2 - Angolo S.Biagio, Pisa
Visitor rating: 8.3 out of 10

The modern Hotel San Ranieri is located 10 minutes' drive from Pisa airport and 300 meters from Cisanello, this stylish hotel boasts a large garden and free services - Wi-Fi and car parking.

Rooms at the San Ranieri Hotel are equipped with a TV with Mediaset Premium channels, a minibar, air conditioning and a private bathroom. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building.

The hotel offers a buffet breakfast, and in the glass-roofed restaurant you can enjoy Tuscan cuisine, served indoors, outdoors or in your room. Hotel San Ranieri is easily accessible from the A12 motorway and is a 10-minute drive from Pisa Train Station and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Room price - from 72 euros/day.

3 star hotels

Address: Via Alessandro Della Spina 2 / 7 / 9, Pisa
Visitor rating: 8.6 out of 10

Hotel Alessandro Della Spina is just a 5-minute walk from Pisa Central Station and a 10-minute walk from the city centre. The hotel offers comfortable rooms with air conditioning, satellite TV and a private bathroom with bath or shower. There is free Wi-Fi in the hotel lobby. Breakfast at the Alessandro Della Spina Hotel includes homemade bread and croissants (included in the room rate).

Room price - from 99 euros/day.

Address: Via Risorgimento 42, Pisa
Visitor rating: 8 out of 10

Hotel Athena is just 300 meters from the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa; There is a large garden on site.

Rooms at Hotel Athena are air conditioned and come with an LCD TV with satellite channels, a mini fridge and a private bathroom. You will find free Wi-Fi in the lobby.

The hotel's large garden is the ideal place to relax in the fresh air and enjoy a coffee or cocktail. The hotel offers free parking (spaces are limited).

Room price - from 67 euros/day.

Sights of Pisa

Square of Miracles (Piazza dei Miracoli)

The main religious monuments of the city are collected here: in addition to the leaning tower itself - the bell tower, on the wide Square of Miracles there is a Cathedral (therefore another name for the square is Cathedral), a Baptistery and an ancient cemetery.

In 1155, the Square of Miracles was surrounded by walls, and a century later a cemetery (in its northern part) and a new hospital (in its southern part) appeared here. The Square of Miracles acquired its familiar modern appearance around .

You can get to Miracle Square from the station by bus No. 3.

Square of Miracles. Photo by Thinkstock

Leaning Tower (Torre pendente)

This is a world-famous symbol not only of Pisa itself, but also of the entire tourist industry. Construction of the bell tower began in 1173, but due to subsidence of the soil and the resulting tilt after the completion of the third floor, the construction of the tower was suspended until 1275, when it was finally decided to complete its construction. But the construction of the belfry itself ended only in the second half of the 14th century. The height of the tower is 56.7 meters. Pisa-born Galileo Galilei used the tilt of the tower for his experiments on free-falling bodies.

Over the past eight centuries, the tower has deviated from its axis by approximately two meters 60 cm. A very slow but constant increase in inclination continued, but scientists continued to make attempts to stop this process and secure the tower - using, for example, the installation of steel cables in 1996, or removing part of the soil in the northern part of its foundation. Currently, the tilt angle of the tower is 3° 54".

Falling tower. Photo by Thinkstock

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is open to the public all days from 9.00 to 19.00 (from March to October), from 8.30 to 20.30 (from April to September) and from 9.30 to 17.00 (from November to February). From June 14 to September 15, there are also night visits to the tower from 20.30 to 23.00. The cost of climbing to the top, where there are 294 steps, is 15 euros.

Pisa Cathedral (Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta)

The Cathedral of Pisa, dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was begun in 1064 by the architect Busceto, who added elements of Norman, Byzantine, early Christian and even Arabic architecture to the traditional Romanesque style, trying with this original mixture to emphasize the scale of trade relations and the greatness of the Pisa Maritime Republic, and at the same time trying to surpass the “competitors” the Venetians, who built St. Mark’s Cathedral during the same period.

The Pisa Cathedral was completed in the 12th century by the architect Rainaldo, who designed its magnificent façade. The current appearance of the cathedral is the result of numerous restorations carried out at different times. Its interior, built in the shape of a Latin cross, is a real museum in terms of the number of works of art collected here. In the 19th century, however, some of the cathedral's sculptures were replaced by copies, and the originals were moved to the cathedral museum.

The facade of the Pisa Cathedral and its interior decoration. Photo by Thinkstock

You can visit the Pisa Cathedral: in winter from 10.00 to 12.45 and from 15.00 to 16.45 (on weekdays) and from 15.00 to 16.45 on holidays. In spring and autumn the cathedral is open from 9.00 to 17.40, in summer - from 8.00 to 19.40. Entry cost is 2 euros.

Baptistery

The Baptistery (baptistery), dedicated to St. John the Baptist, is another component of the monumental complex Square of Miracles.

Its construction began in the second half of the 12th century by the architect Diotisalvi; it was built intermittently over almost two centuries. Many of the sculptures decorating the facade, as well as the pulpit, depicting scenes from the life of Christ, were created by Nicola Pisano.

Ambon Baptistery. Photo arte.it

Devoid of any special decoration in its interior, the baptistery has exceptional acoustics and is the largest in Italy - its circumference is 107.24 m.

Baptistery . F from Thinkstock

The Baptistery is open to the public every day except January 1 and December 25, in winter - from 9.00 to 16.40, in spring and autumn - from 9.00 to 17.40, in summer - from 8.00 to 19.40. The cost of a full ticket is 5 euros, a reduced ticket is 2 euros.

Monumental Cemetery (Camposanto monumentale)

In the northern part of the Square of Miracles there is a Monumental Cemetery. The land itself, on which there are numerous tombstones of prominent residents of Pisa, is considered holy, brought by the crusaders from Mount Golgotha. The decorative elements include works of art from the Etruscan, Roman and medieval periods. The cemetery was founded in 1277, and its construction was completed at the end of the 16th century. Restoration of the frescoes damaged by the bombing of the Second World War is still ongoing.

Monumental cemetery. Photo by Thinkstock

The Camposanto cemetery is open to the public on all days except January 1 and December 25, in winter from 9.00 to 16.40, in spring and autumn from 9.00 to 17.40, in summer from 8.00 to 19.40. The cost of a full ticket is 5 euros, a reduced ticket is 2 euros.

Piazza dei Cavalieri

Piazza dei Cavalieri or the Square of the Knights is one of the most famous squares in all of Pisa due to its unforgettable combination of antiquity and modernity. Here are some of the most important historical buildings of Pisa, such as the Palazzo dell'Orologio, built on the site where the Torre Muda once stood, a terrible place where Count Ugolino and his sons were starved to death in 1288 (whose story is told in Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy); the Palazzo dei Cavalieri, designed by Vasari, and the church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri. Here are also buildings that "welcome" the future: for example, the Scuola Normale Superiore, one of the most important universities in all of Italy, whose physics department is one of the most popular and prestigious on the Italian peninsula.

Piazza dei Cavalieri. Photo by Thinkstock

Museum of Art of the Pisa Cathedral (Museo dell'Opera del Duomo)

Located in the former monastery of Capuchin monks, the museum preserves the history of the monuments of the Square of Miracles. Here are outstanding works by such masters as Nicola and Giovanni Pisano, Tino da Camaino, as well as the Treasure of the Cathedral, wood inlays, chorales decorated with miniatures, church utensils and other exhibits. The museum is located next to the Leaning Tower.

Museum of Ancient Ships (Museo delle navi antiche)

This is an archaeological museum in the process of its formation. In December 1998, during the construction of a railway junction, the remains of ancient ships were discovered, as well as the city port, preserved in excellent condition. Soon they were put on public display, and in addition to the exhibits already on display, everyone can follow the progress of the restoration work.

Museum exhibit. Photo: iltirreno.gelocal.it

The museum is open to visitors every Friday and Saturday from 10.00 to 12.00 and from 14.30 to 15.30. Groups can book a visit to the museum on other days. You can get to the museum on foot from the Square of Miracles.

Embankments of the Arno River (Lungarni)

Pisa is also famous for its picturesque embankments. This is a meeting place for both local youth and tourists. The banks of the Arno River are decorated with numerous palaces, bridges, towers and churches, the most famous of which are the Medici Palace, the Toscanelli Palace, and the Church of St. Matthew. There are also numerous restaurants and bars here. Every year on June 16, the day of the city's patron saint, Saint Ranieri, the banks of the Arno River, as well as all the buildings located on the embankments, are decorated with numerous lights, the play of which leaves an unforgettable impression.

Embankment of the Arno River. Photo by Thinkstock

Church of St. Catherine (Chiesa di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria)

Built in the second half of the 13th century for the Dominican Order, the church has a beautiful facade of white and gray marble, with a covered gallery in the Gothic style and a large central round window. The interior of the church was rebuilt in the second half of the 17th century after a fire damaged it, and houses frescoes, paintings and sculptures by famous masters of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The Church of St. Catherine is located on the Square of Martyrs for Freedom.

Church of St. Catherine. Photo it.wikipedia.org

Church of Santa Maria della Spina

This small Gothic-style church got its name (spina - thorn) because, according to legend, it was here that one of the thorns from the crown of thorns of Jesus Christ was kept from 1333 until the 19th century, until the relic was transferred to the Church of St. Chiara. Compared to the rich exterior, the interior of the church seems quite modest. However, here you can see such masterpieces of Gothic sculpture as the Madonna della Rosa (Andrea and Nino Pisano), as well as the treasury created in 1534 by the sculpture Staggio Staggi, which housed the holy relic.

Church of Santa Maria della Spina. Photo by Thinkstock

The church is located on the Arno embankment, near the Solferino bridge, and is open to the public every day except Monday.

Church of St. Paul at the cliff (Chiesa di San Paolo a ripa d'Arno)

Address: P.zza San Paolo a ripa d'Arno, 21

This church, located along the Arno Embankment, in a southern direction, was supposedly built in the ninth century, but was consecrated by Eugene III only in 1148.

The architecture of the church is impressive: it is easy to recognize the style that characterizes many of the facades of church buildings in Pisa - “blind” passages with pointed arches, characteristic geometric elements, three gates and the upper part of the facade, designed in the style of the Pisa Cathedral.

It is likely that the church previously resembled even more the vaults of the Pisa Duomo, given that the building underwent several façade reconstructions after World War II.

Church of San Paolo a Ripa d'Arno. Photo: Thinkstock

Borgo Stretto

This is the most famous area in Pisa. It is located next to the medieval arches of the Lungarno promenade. Here you can admire two other leaning towers of Pisa: the one belonging to the Church of San Nicola (2.5 degrees of inclination) and the one located at the Church of San Michele Scalzi (5 degrees of inclination). Among the churches in the area, it is worth visiting the Romanesque architectural gem, San Michele in Borgo.

Church of San Michele in Borgo

Address: Borgo Stretto, 10

The church and adjacent monastery, which belonged to the Benedictine order of monks, were built around 1016 and rebuilt several times after the bombing of World War II.

The facade of the church is in the traditional Pisan Romanesque style with Gothic influences: the lower part dates back to the thirteenth century, while the upper loggias were created from the fourteenth century.

The monumental three-nave interior preserves a crucifix by Nino Pisano (14th century), paintings by Matteo Rosselli (Immaculate Conception), Baccio Lomi (Madonna and Child with Saints), Aurelio Lomi (Virtue), Giuseppe Melani (Nativity) and the remains of frescoes from the thirteenth and eighteenth centuries.

Fragments of the church pulpit, which is attributed to the master Andrea Pisano, are contained in the National Museum of San Matteo.

Church of San Michele in Borgo. Photo by Thinkstock

St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro Apostolo)

Address: San Piero a Grado

St. Peter's Basilica is one of the most important churches in all of Pisa. The basilica was proclaimed. The church is a unique example of ecclesiastical architecture typical of Pisa, predating the construction of the Pisa Cathedral. The basilica was built near a vanished river port called Grado, where, according to legend, Saint Peter descended to earth in 44.

Excavations uncovered the foundations of an early Christian church built on the ruins of Roman civil buildings, later replaced by a larger church in the 8th-9th centuries. The present building, which was built in the tenth century and altered at the end of the eleventh, has a three-nave structure with the unusual presence of two apses, from which the western one was built, perhaps after the destruction in a flood of the facade and the entrance door on the north side.

The church is lined with unique ceramic fragments (copies; the originals are in the National Museum of San Matteo) from the Islamic world, Mallorca and Sicily, laid out in complex geometric shapes (X-XII centuries).

The impressive 12th-century bell tower was destroyed on July 22, 1944 by soldiers of the retreating Wehrmacht and only its base was then rebuilt. Inside the basilica there are three bells taken from the ruins of the bell tower; The bell tower is currently under reconstruction.

Also inside you can see the place where St. Peter preached for the first time.

St. Peter's Basilica. Photo by Thinkstock

On the walls of the nave you can see a huge cycle of frescoes, recently restored, commissioned by the Gaetani family for the anniversary of Pope Boniface VIII (Benedetto Caetani).

It also houses ancient portraits of popes, ranging from St. Peter to John XVII (1003): this series of portraits is unique today after the catastrophic fire in 1823 that almost completely destroyed the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, where the famous series of portraits of Popes was located.

Address: Via Luca Ghini, 13

Visiting: Mon-Fri from 8.30 to 17.30; Saturday 8.30-13.

Tickets: €2.50 full; 1.5 euro discount

Botanical Garden of the University of Pisa. Photo: Thinkstock

The Botanical Garden of the University of Pisa is one of the oldest botanical gardens on the planet. It arose under the name Giardino dell "Arzinale in 1544, thanks to the efforts of Luca Ghini and the finances of Duke Cosimo I de' Medici. The botanical garden competes with the botanical garden for the title of the oldest in the world. The garden changed its location several times until 1591, when it was finally settled at the present address.In the Botanical Garden of Pisa you can see more than 550 species of rare plants from all over the world.

Royal Palace and National Museum

The Royal Palace was built in 1583 according to the design of Bernardo Buontalenti for Francesco I de' Medici near the church and monastery of St. Matthew.

Currently, there is a National Museum here, which stores numerous evidence of residence in the palace of noble Tuscan families: works of artists of the 4th century, sculptures of the 13th-15th centuries, furniture, tapestries, ancient weapons, a large collection of medieval ceramics.

National Museum of the Royal Palace. Photo by Thinkstock

The National Museum is located on the Arno River embankment, open from Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 14.30, on Saturday from 9.00 to 13.30. The cost of a full ticket is 6.50 euros, a reduced ticket is 1.50.

What to try in Pisa

Everyone knows that it is one of the most excellent on the planet, combining the seemingly incompatible - health benefits and unsurpassed taste. Going to the city of Pisa, you can fully enjoy this great tradition of the Tuscans - eating deliciously and a lot.

Cheeses and meats are the main products of this area. One of the most notable cheeses of the area is Pecorino del Parco di Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli, a semi-hard cheese with a sweet taste. Another delicious cheese treat is Pecorino Pisano, available in both “young” and aged versions.

Among the sausages, the most famous are the spicy salami Mallegato Pisano and the cured Pisa pork shoulder.

For starters, you should try the most popular dishes in Pisa - Pisa soup, San Michele white bean soup or frog soup. For those for whom frog legs do not inspire much confidence, the menus of local restaurants offer a delicious soup made from 13 types of seafood, cacciucco.

Meat lovers probably know that in Pisa, as in other cities, they make excellent IGP grilled or charcoal Chianina beef - simple and incredibly tasty! You can also try the traditional Tuscan dish, "trippa" - stuffed veal stomach with vegetables.

For dessert you will be offered a cake with pine nuts “torta coi bischeri”, flatbread “castagnaccio”, again with pine nuts and walnuts, or the famous almond cookies “ricciarelli”.

Pisa Restaurants

Here is a list of some restaurants and taverns, famous and very popular in Pisa, where you can enjoy a wonderful lunch or a hearty dinner.

Trattoria Il Campano

Address: Via D. Cavalca, 19

An ideal place to enjoy typical dishes of the Tuscan tradition. The establishment is located in the historical center of Pisa.

Ristorante Squisitia

Address: Via Filippo Mazzei, 2

Fresh ingredients, vegetarian options, gluten free and children's options are the key words in the menu of this restaurant located on Via San Biagio.

Osteria dei cavalieri

Address: Via San Frediano, 16

This is a restaurant that offers the best Tuscan cuisine in an original and creative way.

Bar Settimelli

Address: Borgo stretto, 34

This bar is one of the most famous bars in Pisa, opened in the thirties and still remains a meeting place for locals and tourists.

La Vecchia Cascina

Address: S. Biagio

On Via San Biagio, in the building of an old Tuscan farm, there is a restaurant that offers excellent pizza and Tuscan dishes.

Osteria I miei Sapori

Address: via della Faggiola 20

This establishment specializes in typical Tuscan recipes and is located in the historical center of Pisa.

Holidays in Pisa

In Pisa, ancient traditions are revered sacredly, organizing folk and historical holidays, some of which are more than 6 centuries old.

The inhabitants of Pisa consider the most important holiday Patron Saint's Day of San Ranieri, which is also called Luminara. The holiday is celebrated on June 17. On the evening before the day of the patron saint, San Ranieri, candles are lit on the facades of monuments, houses and cathedrals, along the Arno embankment and in squares, and, of course, candles are placed on the main attraction of Pisa, the Leaning Tower. The spectacle, I must say, is truly extraordinary. The next day, the historic boat race, the San Ranieri Regatta, takes place on the Arno, with the participation of four teams from the city's quarters, preceded by the transfer of the San Ranieri altar on a galleon from the ancient maritime republic of Pisa. A parade in historical costumes accompanied by medieval music takes place through the streets of Pisa. A festive fair runs all day along the Lungarni embankments.

Saint Ranieri's Day. Photo: flickr

Also in June, another important historical festival takes place in Pisa, which is called "Gioco del Ponte". The festival of the “game on the bridge” originated in Pisa back in the Middle Ages, when the Pisan knights, tired of military campaigns, “amused themselves” with battles on heavy clubs called “Mazza Scudo”. The “game” was played with the use of real tools and was not without injury to the participants, so it was officially banned in the 19th century. The ancient game was revived in the 20th century as a historical reconstruction, where dangerous battles were replaced by pulling carts and complemented by a costumed historical procession of participants along the Ponte di Mezzo bridge.

Gioco del Ponte. Photo: Thinkstock

In August, on the 6th, Pisa celebrates San Sisto day: folklore shows and celebrations are held in the church dedicated to the saint.

Another spectacular sight is Historical Regatta of the Ancient Maritime Republics(which takes place every four years, alternating in one of the four ancient maritime republics of Pisa, Amalfi, Genoa and Venice).

They told me it was not worth going to Pisa. There is, they say, nothing to see there except the leaning tower. I went just for show. The city turned out to be amazing, airy, light as meringue. Now it is on the list of favorite Italian cities. What to see in Pisa, how to get there and where to go next

In Pisa every now and then you meet people with large suitcases. People come here to look at the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, the symbol of Italy, and take a funny selfie. But there is another reason - low-cost airlines fly to Pisa airport, including Pobeda from Russia. So getting here is cheaper than getting to neighboring Florence. And from Pisa airport to the center of Florence is a little over an hour, but more on that below.

From the airport you don’t have to rush to Florence; you can easily spend a night or two in Pisa, enjoying its leisurely pace. Drink espresso, eat spaghetti and wander the streets. In summer it is not as hot and stuffy as in crowded Florence.

And if you somehow got to Italy, then Pisa is worth a stop. Although this city doesn't have many attractions - the tourist area can be walked around in an hour - don't let that put you off. How much time should you plan for Pisa if you are coming here from Florence? One day will most likely be enough, or even plan a Pisa-Lucca trip.

So, what to see and what to do in Pisa if you come here for one or two days. I have placed the places in the order they appear on the route from the Pisa Centrale train station. So the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the attractions near it will be at the end, and then I will give information on where to eat and how to get to Pisa.

Pedestrian street Corso Italia

Corso Italia is the first attraction you will see when you get off the train. It has beautiful old houses, shops, cafes, gelaterias

As I already mentioned, tourist Pisa is quite small, and Corso Italia- the main pedestrian street along which tourists walk from the main railway station to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. There are a lot of tourists and locals on the street, life is bustling. What’s surprising is that you turn off it into some gateway and find yourself in a deserted place. So if you have time, explore the area.
There are not as many designer boutiques here as in Florence, but there are also fewer shopaholics. You shouldn't expect anything extraordinary, but you can find a good leather bag or dress.
And more about shopping. Near Corso Italia there is a supermarket PAM (from 8:00 to 21:00, on Sunday - from 8:30 to 20:30). This is one of the few supermarkets in the tourist center. He's not on Corso Italia itself. If the station is behind you, then in front you will see a lingerie store Tezenis(from the station it is 300 m). Turn right and after 100 meters there will be a PAM. There is a good selection of baked goods, meat and fish products, cheese, fruit, olives and basic necessities. Prices are slightly higher than average - this is the center, but there are discounts. And if from Tezenis go left, there will be a supermarket Conad.

Arno River and Santa Maria della Spina

There is something magical about the Arno, especially on a sunny day! I like the colorful buildings on its embankment, the color of the water, and most importantly, the extraordinary beauty of the small church of Santa Maria della Spina.

The Church of Santa Maria della Spina was built in 1230 near the bridge, which has not survived to this day. It stood near the water and only in 1875 it was dismantled and moved to a high place. And if you don’t know this, then you’re very surprised why she’s standing here.
It is decorated with colored marble, decorated with sculptures (these are copies, and the originals are in the National Museum of San Matteo in Pisa) and looks very romantic against the backdrop of the river, buildings and mountains. I probably took fifty photos from different angles, I loved this pearl so much.
The inside of the church looks modest. During our visit there was an exhibition of paintings. The entrance is free. Santa Maria della Spina is open daily from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 16:00 to 18:00, but it is not necessary to go inside.

Local market in Piazza delle Vettovaglie

On the way from the station to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, on the same bank where the tower is, there is a party and market quarter. Not a god at all, but you can take a look

In Piazza delle Vettovaglie, an ordinary, not the most tidy Italian market opens in the first half of the day. Several stalls with local fruits and vegetables (dried tomatoes are also available, but a little more expensive than in the main market of Florence), a van with pastries and cheese, some hangers with clothes. The catering here is cheap: pizza (from 2 €), pasta with tomatoes, a little more expensive, simple beers.
A lot of local youth, hungry tourists, parties, the eternal smell of pizza and strong coffee - this is why I love Italy.
50 meters away, closer to the river, there is a monument to the commander and revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi, and there are also many cafes, pizzerias, and kebab shops nearby.

Orto Botanico di Pisa

The atmospheric but slightly neglected Botanical Garden of Pisa is located next to the Piazza della Knights. Guidebooks say that this is the oldest garden in Europe

The Botanical Garden of Pisa was founded in 1544, but has moved from place to place several times. The garden is tiny, it’s easy to imagine yourself as a medieval scientist in it. The best time to visit the botanical garden is the end of March-May, when there are many flowering plants. But even in summer it’s nice to be in peace and quiet here, especially if you need to wait an hour or two before visiting the tower. In some months there are a lot of mosquitoes here (you can buy spray at the pharmacy nearby).
The garden features about 550 plant species, including endemics of the Apuan Alps, that is, plants that are found only in the north of Tuscany. There are water lilies and lotuses in the pond. Black bamboo is growing rapidly, and it looks like it will soon take over everything around. Pay attention to the camphor tree, planted in 1872 - it is as tall as a 9-story building, and its trunk diameter is about 4 meters. Among the new acquisitions is Wollémia nóbilis from the Araucariaceae family.
Entrance from via Roma, 56. The garden is open: from October 30 to March 31, Mondays to Saturdays from 9:00 to 17:00. From April 1 to September 30 - daily from 8:30 to 20:00. The last start of visitors is an hour earlier. A ticket for adults costs 4 €, for children - 2 €. In summer, free admission every first Sunday of the month.

Piazza dei Cavalieri (Knights Square)

If not for the leaning tower, the Square of the Knights would be the main attraction of Pisa. It is located 500 m from the Leaning Tower of Pisa and you will have to deviate just a few streets from the main route

Piazza dei Cavalieri was the center of urban life in Pisa in the 12th century. This square is also famous for the fact that in 1406 it was used to announce the end of the independence of Pisa - it became part of the Florentine Republic. In the mid-16th century, all the buildings located on it changed their appearance - the architect Giorgio Vasari created, in fact, a new square.
Palace of the Palazzo della Caravana was the headquarters of the knightly order of St. Stephen. This is also the work of Vasari - he decorated the facade with sgraffito (a technique of applying decorative plaster).
Nowadays, the palace houses a prestigious educational institution - Scuola Normale Superiore, in which the humanities and natural sciences are studied. The exam is difficult, out of 1 thousand candidates, 60 people are accepted. That is 16 people per place! Students of the Scuola Normale Superiore simultaneously study at the university. Although education in Italy is paid, normal students receive free housing, lunch and dinner, and a stipend.
In front of the palace there is a monument to Cosimo I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany (1519-1574). In a nutshell about the Duke - he is described as a ruthless tyrant who directed all his forces to make a single state out of Tuscany.
On both sides of Palazzo della Carovana there are two more interesting buildings - Palazzo del Orologio, or Clock Tower, and Church Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri, which was also designed by Vasari. Red Maltese crosses are painted on the walls of many buildings.
The square is almost always deserted, but transport passes through it. On Sundays there is a flea market with old dishes, beads and records, and from time to time there are concerts and festivals.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

The main center of attraction in Pisa is, of course, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The most famous and recognizable building in Italy - but there is no pathos around it, the impression is that everyone comes here to take a funny photo

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the most unique bell tower I have ever seen. It took 200 years to build, which was common in medieval Europe: either the patrons would run out of money, or the plague would wipe out everyone.
You can go upstairs (18 €) , if you want to look down on the city. Or you can stay downstairs and watch the audience come up with funny poses. It's terribly funny. I tried to repeat the poses I saw on the Internet (I posted the video at the bottom of this page) - and it turned out to be not at all easy. Either the tower would slide out of the palm of your hand, or slip out of your hands. It was crazy funny! Just come early when there is no rush at the best places to shoot. An hour or two flies by, even if you decide not to climb the tower.
You can order tickets for the Leaning Tower of Pisa on the official website - there are no additional fees or markups. To purchase, select the date and time of your visit. Tickets go on sale 20 days before the visit. If you plan to visit the cathedral and baptistery, take a general ticket.
Children under 7 years old are not allowed into the tower, from 8 years old - only with parents. Before going up, things, even small women's handbags, must be left in the storage room in the adjacent yellow building, it is free. You are only allowed to take your camera and phone with you.- and thanks for that. Then, according to the time indicated on the ticket, groups are allowed inside. There are 40 people inside the tower at the same time.
The height of the tower is 55.86 - 56.7 meters (the height is different from different sides, and this value is not constant). Be prepared to climb 251 worn down steps. The narrowest part is after the platform with the bells. There are no railings, not even rope ones. If you feel claustrophobic, there is no shame in staying by the bells. It’s more difficult to go down - I saw that some people go down without shoes, apparently it’s easier that way. The tower is especially good early in the morning and in the evenings, when there are still no crowds of tourists.

Attractions near the tower

Everyone knows the Leaning Tower of Pisa. But many people think that she is standing on the lawn alone. In fact, the leaning tower is part of the architectural complex of the Square of Miracles (Piazza dei Miracoli)

Bright green grass, white buildings and a piercing blue Tuscan sky above all this - Piazza dei Miracoli is very beautiful! I have already told you about the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and now about five other attractions- Duomo, baptistery and cemetery of Campo Santo and two museums.

1. Pisa Cathedral (Duomo): the first building built on this square. The cathedral was founded in 1064 and put into operation at the end of the 12th century. At the time of construction it was the largest in Europe. Both the baptistery and the leaning tower are, in fact, applications of it.

The temple opens for visitors later than other attractions in the square - at 10:00, and during religious holidays - at 13:00. Closing times depend on the season: from November to February at 12:45; in March at 18:00; from April to September at 20:00; and in October at 7 p.m. Entrance to the cathedral is free, you need to take a coupon for two people from the box office.

What to look for outside:

• Stone ornaments and patterns that decorate the temple.
• Statue of the Virgin Mary and Child at the highest point of the pediment.
• Porta di San Ranieri is the entrance on the east side of the cathedral, which is opposite the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Usually visitors enter the cathedral through this entrance. Note the cast bronze doors with reliefs of scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary, made in 1180.

What to look for inside:

• Famous 14th century mosaic depicting Christ surrounded by the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist. This mosaic survived the fire of 1595.
• Wooden coffered (i.e. consisting of recesses and beams) ceiling covered with gilding.
• The carved pulpit from 1302-1310 by Giovanni Pisano is a masterpiece of medieval sculpture.
• Sarcophagus with the relics of the patron saint of Pisa, St. Ranieri.

2. Baptistery of St. John- the building where infants are baptized - built in 1363. This is the largest baptistery in Italy. A very photogenic structure and also falling, but its tilt is not noticeable at all. The famous physicist and astronomer Galileo Galilei was baptized in the baptistery. The upper gallery offers beautiful views of the cathedral and tower. The Baptistery is open daily, from April to September from 8:00 to 20:00, in March and October from 9:00 to 19:00, in the winter months it closes an hour earlier.

3. Campo Santo- the most famous monumental cemetery in Italy. Under the vaulted niches in the palace-well are the tombs of rich and important people - university teachers and scientists, the rulers of Pisa and members of their families. It's not crowded and quiet here. There are three chapels in the cemetery, the oldest of which is Ammannati (1360). From April to September, Campo Santo is open from 8:00 to 20:00, at other times of the year it opens 1-2 hours later and closes 1-2 hours earlier.

4. At the Museo dele Sinope contains original sketches of the Campo Santo cemetery, and also hosts an exhibition of contemporary art. The upper floors offer a beautiful view of the Square of Miracles.

5. Museo dell'Opera del Duomo: many of the decorations in the cathedral and baptistery are only copies, and the originals were transferred to this museum. Closed for reconstruction.

A combination ticket is available for these attractions. For 5 € you can visit one object, for 7 € - two objects, for 8 - three objects, for 9 € - all four. You can book tickets on the same website where you can book tickets for the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Opposite the large bronze “Fallen Angel” - this is the work of the Polish sculptor Igor Mitoraj - there is a book and souvenir shop. There lives a black and white cat who likes to lie right on the threshold.

What to try in Pisa

You can have a snack in Pisa from 3.5 €, lunch in a restaurant will cost from 20 €. There are many restaurants and cafes, prices are also different

In Italy, any eatery serves delicious food using fresh ingredients. Of course, prices are higher near the Leaning Tower of Pisa, so if you want to save money, move further away from it. And one more tip - have time to grab a seat in the restaurant before 14:00, and earlier in the summer. Then everyone will head to the restaurants - the Italians have lunch on a schedule - and they will have to wait.

The local cuisine is excellent. Stewed vegetables, mushroom and meat flatbreads, soups. Bordatino, for example, is a Tuscan soup made from cornmeal, vegetables and pureed beans. Previously, it was prepared on ships - hence the name: soup on a ship. Pisa Bordatino is a 100% vegetarian soup, but very filling. We tried this one somewhere on the way from the tower to the station (he is in the photo for this section). It was lunch time and the waiter was running around like crazy. The portion is large and costs 8 €. Hot - from 12 €, but soup was enough for us.

Zuppa Toscana- another traditional soup in this region, it is made from stale bread, savoy cabbage and other vegetables. But he has pigskin. Both soups are often on restaurant menus.

Easy to find and Pasta e fagioli, pasta with beans, is another common dish in these parts. The pasta for this dish is usually boiled in bean broth. If we talk about prices, then it’s very cheap, but you can have a satisfying meal in street cafes, for example, on Piazza delle Vettovaglie, which I talked about above. A large piece of pizza or mushroom focaccia (flatbread) and coffee will cost €3.50.

Where to stay in Pisa

Not all hotels in Pisa are created equal, so read reviews before booking. Here are some good options - from budget to expensive - to consider.

1. Hostel Pisa

The hostel is a five-minute walk from the central train station. This is a large, bright hostel with good public areas (cafe, kitchen, etc.), which makes it very popular among tourists. Both dormitory beds and private rooms are available. Prices can be viewed on Hotellook.

2. Hostel Pisa Tower

3. Grand Hotel Duomo

If you like modern hotels, but in the Italian tradition, take a look at the Grand Hotel Duomo. The rooftop terrace offers panoramic views of the city, which are especially beautiful at sunset. Wonderful breakfast, nice room design, 300 meters to the Leaning Tower of Pisa - this is great. Prices are about 90 € for a double room (see information about Grand Hotel Duomo).

4. Hotel Bologna

5. San Ranieri Hotel

Hi-tech hotel with 90 rooms on the side of the attractions. The airport is nearby, the drive is 10 minutes, there is a transfer. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is 5 km away. The room will cost from 120 euros. Follow the link to see how much rooms cost at the San Ranieri Hotel.

How to get there from Pisa airport:

To the train station in Pisa

Pisa Airport is 2.5 km from the train station Pisa Centrale. The taxi ride takes 5-10 minutes and costs 6-10 €. But it's cheaper to take the train.

The Pisamover automated express train runs from the airport to Pisa Central Station every day from 6am to midnight. It was launched recently and has become very convenient.

Travel time is 8 minutes, runs every 10 minutes. A one-way ticket costs €2.70, a round-trip ticket costs €5.40. Tickets are sold at the box office and are valid for 30 days. PisaMover tickets are also sold by the four ticket machines installed at the airport.

At the airport, boarding the train is directly outside the arrivals hall. And at the central train station of Pisa, the train stands opposite platform 14, which can be accessed not only through the main entrance, but also from Via Quarantola. Website, but you can’t buy tickets online there.

- to the Leaning Tower of Pisa

It is best to take the Pisamover from the airport and get to Pisa Centrale, and then walk, take a bus or bike to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Taxi in Pisa

At the airport, there is a taxi stand in the arrivals hall. Here is the cost of the trip from the official website www.cotapi.it:
- Pisa Centrale - Piazza Duomo: 9 €
- Pisa Airport - Piazza Duomo: 12 €
There are allowances for the size of luggage, work at night and on holidays, etc.

To Florence

If you are planning to fly to Pisa instead of Florence because it is cheaper, this is the right decision. Here are several ways to get to Florence from Pisa airport: by train with a transfer, by bus, by taxi.

1. PisaMover + train

Pisa airport and Pisa train station are connected by express train PisaMover, which goes very often. The trip takes 8 minutes and you are already at Pisa Centrale station, where you need to change trains going to Florence. Travel time depends on the train - from 50 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes. Trains run 2-4 times per hour. The last train leaves for Florence at 22:30 (arrival in Florence
– at 23:50) Buy a combined ticket PisaMover+train to Florence (cheaper than traveling separately) is available in the airport arrivals hall or online on the Trenitalia website.
On the TrenItalia website, the station names are in Italian. Stations you need:
airport - Pisa Fermata Airport,
Central train station in Pisa - Pisa Centrale,
Florence - Firenze,
train station in Florence - Firenze S.M. Novella.
Tickets on the site can be purchased online. This is the most convenient way to plan your train trip. The ticket must be printed, it does not need to be punched.
Of course, you can always buy tickets at the station from ticket machines. Be sure to validate them before departure - there are devices for this at the station. Without a stamp, the ticket is considered invalid and you face a fine. There’s not much to see on the way, you just drive, looking out the window.

2. By bus

Two bus companies offer this service: Airport Bus Express by Autostradale and line Sky Bus Caronna. A ticket from Pisa airport to Florence costs 14 € one way, round trip 24 €.
Both companies stop at Piazzale Montelungo (Piazzale Montelungo) in Florence (a few hundred meters from Santa Maria Novella station). The trip takes about 1 hour if there are no traffic jams.
By bus Sky Bus Lines Caronna It is also possible to travel from Pisa airport to Florence airport via Montecatini, Pistoia and Prato.

3. By taxi

A taxi ride from Pisa airport to the center of Florence costs 170-180 € (payment by meter, no fixed price). You can book a taxi on the Cotapi website.

How to get there from Pisa train station:

TO THE TOWER OF PISA

ON FOOT

It is best to walk from PisaCentrale station to the tower; the walk will take 30-40 minutes, the route goes through the most interesting places in the city. And if you are short on time, you can take a bus or taxi.

BY BIKE

At Pisa Centrale station you can rent a bicycle from Profer Cooperativa, which also offers a luggage storage service (5 euros per piece). Bicycle rental costs 4 € per hour or 10 € for the whole day.

There is also a program with bicycle parking at the airport and in the city center, for example, at the airport and at the entrance to Pisa San Rossore station. Although the first half hour of using the bike is free, the program is not convenient for tourists: you need to register online, then pay for a day ticket at the office (5 euros). It is suitable for those who often visit Pisa.

BY BUS
From Pisa Centrale station to Piazza dei Miracoli you can also take the LAM "ROSSA" bus line. Look for the bus that goes to Park Pietrasantina (not to Ospedale Cisanello, which is the opposite direction from the tower). Get off at the Torre stop. The stop is popular, so the bus always stops here.

Buy your bus ticket before you board the bus. Tickets are sold, for example, in a machine or in a newspaper shop at Pisa Centrale station. Although you can always buy a ticket from the bus driver, it costs more. A ticket from the machine costs €1.70 and is valid for 70 minutes from the first use. When entering the bus, you must immediately stamp your ticket (yellow machines on the bus), otherwise you will be fined.

TO LUCCA

I recommend combining a trip to Pisa with a visit to Lucca. You can catch the train either at Pisa Centrale or at Pisa S. Rossore station - this station is much closer to the Leaning Tower of Pisa than the central station.

On the TrenItalia website you need to select the direction Pisa Centrale-Lucca or Pisa S. Rossore-Lucca (these are the same train). Travel time is 30 minutes, a ticket from any of these stations costs 3.60 €. Trains run 1-3 times per hour depending on the time of day.

How to get there from Florence:

To Pisa and the Leaning Tower of Pisa (train station, center)

If you are going to Pisa from Florence, Siena, Lucca, it is best to go by train. The main train station in Pisa is called Pisa Centrale, but the closest station to the Leaning Tower of Pisa is Pisa San Rossore - a 5-7 minute walk from Piazza dei Miracoli, where the Leaning Tower of Pisa is located.

The station is small and not all trains stop there. In the morning three trains from Florence stop at Pisa San Rossore. You can view train schedules on the Trenitalia website. If there is no train at a convenient time, go to the central train station Pisa Centrale. A one-way ticket from Florence to Pisa costs about 9 €.

The city that all tourists rush to visit, primarily because of its famous “Leaning Tower,” is the city of Pisa. Pisa is a small Italian town in the Tuscany region with a population of about 100,000 people. Despite its small number, it boasts a rich and interesting chronicle of events, as well as world-famous buildings that are definitely worth seeing and places that are definitely worth visiting.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Arno river embankment

From that what to visit in Pisa, all tourists strive first to visit the famous “Leaning Tower”, which over the years has become a symbol of the city.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa (Torre pendente di Pisa) is a campanile (bell tower), about 60 meters high (57 m to be precise) located on the “Place of Miracles”. And it would be just a tower if it weren’t for its world-famous tilt, thanks to which it has been the center of public attention for many years. By the way, after its restoration (since 2001), the Leaning Tower of Pisa is open to the public. Climbing 294 steps will cost you the fear of collapsing along with the tower and 15 euros.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

But let’s not forget that the Leaning Tower of Pisa is only part of the ensemble of those beautiful buildings located on the “Piazza of Miracles” in Pisa. In general, the “Piazza dei Miracoli” (or Piazza dei Miracoli) is a famous example of medieval architecture in Italy, a huge square in the old part of the city, surrounded by a wall, which includes 3 more famous buildings, in addition to the Leaning Tower: the Pisa Cathedral Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta , Baptistery of San Giovanni and monumental cemetery Campo Santo.

Square of Miracles

Battistero di San Giovanni (Baptistery of San Giovanni) is a “baptistery” built in honor of St. John, the largest religious landmark in Pisa, the greatest creation of Italy in the Romanesque Gothic style. The Baptistery, like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, is located on the “Place of Miracles” and, since is located on soft soil, like its “neighbor” it has a slope, but it is almost invisible to the human eye. The Baptistery of San Giovanni is also famous for its frescoes, including works by Benozzo Gozzoli, and 2 works by an unknown author, one of which tells the story of the plague epidemic of 1348. But the bronze sculpture in honor of John the Baptist, in the central part of the font, also attracts the attention of foreigners.

Baptistery of San Giovanni

Baptistery of San Giovanni inside

Pisa Cathedral (Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta) is the cathedral of Pisa, built in honor of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is part of the “Piazza of Miracles” ensemble. Construction of the cathedral began in 1063 under the direction of the architect Busceto di Giovanni Giudice. But the Pisa Cathedral underwent many changes, for example, a fire in 1595, as a result of which a mosaic depicting Christ with the standing Virgin Mary and John the Evangelist, and a pulpit, a sculpture made by Giovanni Pisano, have reached us.

Pisa Cathedral

Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta

Campo Santo monumentale is a monumental cemetery and museum located in the northern part of the “Place of Miracles”. It is curious, but initially, this building was conceived as a church dedicated to the Holy Trinity, but during the construction of the structure the project underwent changes. Construction began in 1278 by the architect Giovanni di Simone and continued until 1464. It’s a pity, but you won’t be able to enjoy the beauty, those works of art that previously decorated the cemetery before World War II, since it was because of it that it suffered, only a few works and frescoes survived. But still, you will not regret if you see those remaining works of art.

The Campo Santo monumentale

It should be noted that the “Piazza of Miracles” in Pisa, with its ensemble of 4 buildings, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List at the end of December 1986.

Piazza dei Miracoli

Also from that what to visit in Pisa, is the second largest square in the city, after the “Square of Miracles”, Piazza dei Cavalieri (Piazza Dei Cavalieri) is the famous “Square of the Knights”, located a few steps from the “Square of Miracles”. It was erected on the site of the former ancient forum and rebuilt by the architect Giorgio Visari. Previously, or rather in the Middle Ages, the square was the political center of the city, but it was Giorgio Visari who transformed it, surrounding it with palaces and churches such as the Palazzo della Carovana, the Palace of the Hours (Palazzo Orologio), the church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri and the church of Sant'Sixtus.

Knights Square

The first thing that attracts the attention of tourists in Piazza dei Cavalieri is the Palazzo dei Carovana (Palace of the Convoy), which once belonged to the knightly order of St. Stephen. The magnificent facade of the Palazzo dei Carovana is decorated with huge sgrafittos - drawings that imitate architectural decorative elements, as well as statues of Tuscan dukes. Opposite the palace, in the central part of the square, there is a majestic statue of Cosimo I de' Medici, owned by the sculptor Pietro Francavilla. At the moment, the palace is the seat of the city's Higher Normal School of Pisa, founded in 1810 by Napoleon.

Convoy Palace

Statue of Cosimo I de' Medici

At the corner of the square is the Palace of the Clocks (Palazzo Orologio). The palace has an irregular shape and is a polygon, thanks to Vasari's innovative decision to connect two residential towers: Gwalandi (right) and the Tower of Justice (left). Currently, the palace houses the Library of the Higher School.

Clock Palace

Particularly noteworthy is the miniature church of Sant'Sixtus (one of the best examples of early Romanesque architecture in Europe), as well as the church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri (Church of the Knightly Order of St. Stephen), founded in the 16th century, under the leadership of the same famous Vasari, with for the purpose of protection against pirate raids in the maritime space. The interior of the Church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri is richly decorated with paintings from the 17th century, the ceiling is decorated with paintings by Tuscan masters. The central part of the façade is decorated with the massive coat of arms of the Medici and the coat of arms of the Order of St. Stephen. The Basilica stores many military trophies and banners of the knights of this order.

Church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri

Church of Sant Sixtus

Talking about what to visit in Pisa, one cannot help but say about the Arno River embankment, which will make an indelible impression on you. Here you can enjoy the beauty of such unique buildings as the 15th century Agostini Palace, the 16th century Upezzingi Palace, the 18th century Church of Madonna dei Galetti and others.

Arno river embankment

Agostini Palace

Church of Madonna del Galetti

In general, the city of Pisa is rich in many majestic churches and small churches that are definitely worth visiting, for example, the pearl of the late Gothic church of Santa Maria della Spina, the entire embankment of which is decorated with precious jewelry made of marble lace, aedicules and spiers.

Church of Santa Maria della Spina

Or the Basilica of San Piero a Grado, on the left bank of the river. Arno, dating from the 11th century. In its western part you can see the remains of an early Christian temple.

Basilica of San Piero a Grado

Also, special attention should be paid to the University Palace, which is also called the Palace of Wisdom (Palazzo della Sapienz). It is one of the most prestigious not only in Italy, but throughout the world.

University Palace

From museums what to visit in Pisa, the most significant are: the Duomo Museum, the Sinopia Museum and the most famous in the world, the National Museum of San Matteo.

Exhibit from the Duomo Museum. Pisa

Museum of San Matteo

Exhibit of the National Museum of San Matteo

Sinopia Museum

If you are hungry, do not rush to visit the restaurants in the area of ​​the Leaning Tower of Pisa first, because... as it is very expensive, and some will feed you tastelessly, according to many tourists after comparing with other cafes and restaurants.

You will have a good lunch at Osteria di Culegna, La Mescita, La Stanzina, Vineria di Piazza, with a good selection of wine and national cuisine, Via del Monte, where there is amazing focaccia and pizza.

Osteria di Culegna

Vineria di Piazza

But if you decide to go to restaurants or cafes on the Square of Miracles, then turn your attention to Salza on Borgo Stretto or pizzeria Kinzica.

As for where you can stay, Pisa offers a wide selection of hotels and inns, which are mostly 3-star. The most famous and frequently visited are:

Hotel Verdi, with 30 comfortable rooms. The prices for the rooms are reasonable: you will have to pay from 45 € per night.

Hotel Ariston will offer you 31 comfortable rooms, and the hotel also allows pets. A room per night will cost more than 60 €.

In Pisa you can also find a number of excellent 4 and 5 star hotels, including the 4 star My One Hotel Galilei, offering 153 comfortable rooms, each of which meets the high standards of a first-class hotel. A day will cost you over 70 €.

My One Hotel Galilei

You will not regret if you check into the Abitalia Tower Plaza hotel, which offers you 82 luxurious rooms that meet the standards of comfort, as well as the latest technology. A day in such a luxurious hotel will cost more than 120 €.

Pisa is a city in Italy with many interesting and fascinating attractions. People from almost all over the world flock to Pisa for these attractions. The city is very friendly and loves guests; tourists here feel cozy and comfortable like nowhere else.

Pisa has both luxurious expensive hotels and simple hostels, so Pisa is suitable for both rich and budget tourists. Finding accommodation will not be difficult.

In May 2017, I visited Pisa and I will be publishing interesting videos about this city on the Aviamania channel! At the time of publication of the article, they are not yet ready, so the article will be supplemented with video content and my useful comments)))

The city is relatively small: the population is about 100 thousand people.

By the way, it was in Pisa in 1564 that the well-known Galileo Galilei was born. Therefore, despite its small size, the city gave us a big man.

The climate of Pisa is quite suitable for any Russian: the temperature here in winter rarely drops below zero. The average temperature in winter is 7 degrees Celsius, and in summer – 21. It is best, of course, to visit Pisa in the summer months, then walking will be much more enjoyable, and you can enjoy all the delights of the city to the fullest.

The most remarkable places in the city are two squares: Piazza dei Cavalieri and Cathedral. The latter is more visited and crowded, although we also recommend visiting the first.

Traveling through the streets of the city is a lot of fun, so in addition to exploring the local attractions during the day, evening walks around Pisa are a great addition.

The town is not that big, but in order to really feel the atmosphere of the city, enjoy it, and understand it, we recommend exploring Pisa for at least 3 days.

The city of Pisa, attractions photos and descriptions of which we will consider in this article, has always been a favorite tourist city. But what if you come to Pisa for just one day? Read below.

Pisa what to see in 1 day

If your plans do not include staying in the city for a long time, and you will only stay in Pisa for a day, then you need to see at least the most striking sights.

To do this, we suggest heading to Cathedral Square, where the main attractions of the city are located. These include: the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Duomo, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, Campo Santo, as well as some museums. After the tour, you will learn more about the skill of Vasari, as well as other outstanding architects and sculptors who took an active part in the formation of the city's historical buildings.

But it should be noted that these are not all interesting places in the city. Pisa is a wonderful city where walking brings a lot of pleasure and allows you to enjoy the unusually beautiful views of the area.

Therefore, if you managed to run through the main noteworthy places, do not rush to leave the city, spend more time exploring other areas. After spending time in the city, you will have unforgettable memories and indelible impressions.

We offer you a one-day itinerary for those who cannot stay in Pisa for a long time.

Below we will describe each of the attractions indicated on the map.

Pisa Cathedral

(Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta )

Once in Pisa, you simply must visit this wonderful place, which is the main attraction of the city. Construction work on the cathedral began in 1064. Thanks to the brilliant architect Busqueto, the building became an example for all buildings in the Pisan-Romanesque style.

Sensitive connoisseurs of history can also discern some presence of the Byzantine style in the cathedral - the mosaic interior.

The appearance on one side is simple - gray stone, white marble, decorated in some places with colored marble. But in general, when the picture is completely revealed before your eyes, you can appreciate this incredible beauty.

From a distance, the Duomo looks very rich and harmonious, the building glows with elegance and superiority. It is no less interesting to see it up close, carefully examining every component detail.

As we know from history, the main doors of the cathedral were destroyed by fire in 1595, but skilled craftsmen were able to make new powerful bronze gates that were in no way inferior to the original. However, they were still rarely used, entering through the Porta di San Ranieri, created by Boganno Pisano.

Here you can also see a copy of the famous statue of the Madonna and Child, as well as the Pisa Griffin, the original of which can be seen in the cathedral museum. The metal griffin is the most voluminous Muslim sculpture.

Once you go inside, you can continue to admire this great building. Particularly striking are the black and white marble patterns and the dome with unique frescoes made in it.

One interesting legend is associated with this cathedral, according to which Galileo created a theory about the movement of celestial bodies while observing the huge lamp of the cathedral. Unfortunately, it can no longer be observed on the territory of the cathedral, but if you wish, visit Campo Santo to get to know this marvel.

The son of the famous Nicola Pisano, Giovanni, who, in fact, is no less famous than his father, contributed to the decoration of the Duomo. Giovanni created a superb carved pulpit, which to this day is included in the list of priceless sculptures of the medieval period.

And this is only a small part of what you can see in the Duomo; you need to study this architectural masterpiece in more detail in person.

Monastery of Campo Santo

If you believe the legends, the place for the construction of the monastery was not chosen by chance, since it was here that Archbishop Ubaldo left a handful of holy soil from Golgotha.

The monastery is designed in a style typical of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Construction took about 2 hundred years, started by the architect Giovanni di Simone. And, as you know, his plans were to build not a memorial cemetery, but a church, but after Giovanni’s death the plans were changed.

Campo Santo is a rather massive structure, which has 43 blind arches and several gates. Most of the tombs are located under arcades. Also, several priceless relics were moved beyond the walls of the monastery: a fragment of the Virgin Mary’s clothing and a thorn from the Crown of Thorns. In addition to them, there are many other interesting and inquisitive historical values.

On the territory of Campo Santo there are three delightful chapels: Ammannati, Aulla, Dal Pozzo, the last two were created with a difference of 76 years (1518-1594), but the oldest is the Ammannati Chapel, which was built in 1360.

It is also interesting to look at the painted sarcophagi and extraordinary frescoes. Their appearance has been preserved thanks to restoration by experienced craftsmen. One interesting event is connected with the restoration work. When the frescoes were carefully removed from the walls, they noticed drawings on the bare surface that were depicted even before the creation of the frescoes.

Some restoration work continues to this day, since during the Second World War Campo Santo was badly damaged, especially the roof and some sculptures. However, this does not stop tourists from admiring the cathedral to their heart's content.

Pisa attractions, photos and descriptions of which we describe in this article, are famous throughout the world thanks to one very famous attraction. You probably already guessed that we are talking about the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Leaning Tower of Pisa Pisa)

People have known about this tower since school age; a special charm and popularity was given to it by its tilted state, in which the Leaning Tower of Pisa has been for many years.

Initially, when construction work began, the architects were aware of the unstable clay soil, but the construction of the world-famous structure was not stopped. In order to ensure maximum safety, it was decided to increase the period of laying the foundation, thereby allowing the soil to subside even before the construction of the tower.

Construction took about 2 centuries, and during this time people constantly fight to maintain the integrity of the structure, which in turn tilts even more, then reduces the angle of inclination. This is also due to the flow of groundwater that passes under the foundation.

At the moment, the difference between the opposite ends of the tower’s foundation is 2 meters, which would seem to be a critical mark, but thanks to the special structure, where the center of gravity is located above the foundation, the tower pleases everyone with its appearance to this day.

The seven-story building attracts tourists not only because of the sensational problem of falling, but also due to its elegant appearance, beautiful decorations and unique architectural design. Also inside the tower there are opening galleries, the halls of which are decorated with bas-reliefs and ornaments.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is undoubtedly one of the city's most important attractions. And as scientists assure, there is no need to worry about its fall for another 3 hundred years.

Pisa Baptistery (Battistero di San Giovanni)

The Baptistery is located on the same “Field of Miracles” next to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. And how did attentive readers react now, but why then does this building not suffer from unstable soil? In fact, the Pisa Baptistery has a certain angle of inclination, but very small, less than 1 degree. So visually it’s not even noticeable, although what will happen in hundreds of years is still unknown.

Some travel lovers make their plans and routes in advance, basing them on photographs of the most striking sights of cities. So, judging by the photographic materials, this baptistery may not make any special impression, but the opinion changes radically when you see it “eye to eye.”

Construction work began in the middle of the 12th century and continued for several hundred years. The main goal was to replace the old baptistery. The competent architect Diotisalvi took on this work; in his mind, the form of the structure should have been different - he only managed to build the walls of San Giovanni, but due to his death, Nicola Pisano completed the work.

The new architect saw the continuation differently, and the result was a baptistery with pyramidal walls and a semicircular roof in a more modern Gothic style. The end result was a rather original building.

It is also necessary to note the excellent sculptures of the pulpit made by Pisano; it took him about 5 years to create them.

Pisa Italy attractions except the Field of Miracles

Piazza Palazzo della Carovanna

(Piazza dei Carovana)

The building is located on Piazza dei Cavalieri, which delights tourists with remarkable buildings. Therefore, if you are staying in Pisa for several days, be sure to visit this place.

As the building is also called, the “Palace of Knights” is not very remarkable in its forms and the architect’s design, both outside and inside. The most attractive element is the individual unusual painting on the façade of the walls. It is for this reason that most people come here to admire and take some quality pictures.

As you know, Vasari himself did the finishing, but the coloring that we now see appeared towards the end of the 19th century. A special luxury is the staircase, which has access on both sides.

Nowadays the Normal Higher City School is located inside the building. Before its opening, some restoration work was carried out, including a slight refurbishment of the main staircase and entrance.

Piazza dei Cavalieri

(Piazza dei Cavalieri)

The square is the second most important in the city; once upon a time, celebrations by all the people took place here, as well as meetings where the main problems of the residents were discussed.

It was on Piazza dei Cavalieri that the independence of Pisa was proclaimed in 1406. The main building on the square is the higher educational institution of the Normal School - Palazzo della Caravana.

Great changes occurred during the reign of Cosimo I de' Medici. Then, on his orders, Giorgio Vasari began architectural work, one of which is the design of the church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri. Inside it are Turkish flags that were captured during the naval battle.

If you look around, you can see many different buildings that give the square its originality and beauty. And although this is a relatively small area, it is very interesting to visit here, there is something to see.

Church of Santo Stefano dei Quaglieri (Chiesa) dei Cavalieri di Santo Stefano)

The church is distinguished by its construction style; it is not made in Gothic, but in the Renaissance style. The building takes part of its name from its purpose, since by order of Cosimo I de' Medici the church was intended for the knights of St. Stefan. The church was erected in place of the old one - San Sebastiano alle Fabbice Maggiori.

The view that is available in modern times was transformed until 1859, during which time 8 architects managed to work on the church.

Of particular value inside the room are the various flags that were obtained in battles and numerous paintings.

Palazzo del Orologio ( Palazzo dell'Orologio)

The “Clock Palace” is located in Piazza dei Cavalieri, and attracts attention with its unusual shape - a half-open book. Today, the library of the Normal School is located inside.

But if you look into history, the building has gone through numerous reconstructions and restorations. In general, initially these were two different buildings that were connected by a common basement.

The clock can be seen at the top of the central part of the building (above the arch). If you raise your gaze a little higher, you can replace the small bell tower.

At first glance, you wouldn’t think that at some time this building was used for the starvation of one family, the head of which was accused of high treason. But his relatives also suffered punishment.

Church of Santa Maria della Spina Santa Maria della Spina)

In appearance, the church is small and seemingly unremarkable, but if you take a closer look at the building, you will notice that the facade is made of marble and looks quite beautiful. Particularly striking is the top of the building with many sculptures by Pisano and figured decoration.

It is worth going around the building from all sides; it is better to do this in a hurry, carefully examining each element. But if you are in a hurry to get inside quickly, you will be a little disappointed, since the interior design is nothing unusual - one large room with a modest ceiling decoration.

True, the sculpture located in the center of the room – the Madonna Rose – attracts the eye. If you look around, you can see a few more rather interesting statues, but that's all.

Museum Ospedale Nuovo di Santo Spirito

(The Ospedale di Santo Spirito)

The building is located on the main square of the city – the Field of Miracles. And while tourists undoubtedly admire other buildings, they are at first perplexed by this, since it is immediately unclear what it is and what it is for.

In appearance, the building fits perfectly into the area: long, low, gloomy, dark. Now it houses a museum where visitors can learn a lot of new and interesting things about culture and world art. But previously this building was intended for the treatment of patients.

Hospital of St. Spirit was built instead of a small hospital in 1257. And it played a big role for poor and sick people, as well as for abandoned children.

At first, the building was even gloomier, but during the reign of Cosimo I de' Medici, by order of the Duke, a reconstruction was carried out, which allowed it to more or less blend into the surrounding environment of the square.

The hospital began to play the role of a museum at the end of the 20th century, when various frescoes and valuables damaged after the Great Patriotic War began to be stored in the premises.

We got acquainted with the city of Pisa, the sights of which were discussed in photos and descriptions in this article. When traveling around Europe, be sure to set aside at least 1 day to visit this beautiful city. Have a nice trip!