The most beautiful Pisa in the world. What is worth seeing in Pisa? What to try in Pisa

Italy is a beautiful and amazing country. Every corner of this state is worthy of special attention, and in any Italian city there are a lot of attractions that will not leave indifferent even the most sophisticated travelers.

One of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy is the city of Pisa. There are probably no people who have not heard about this place. First of all, Pisa is associated with the famous “leaning” tower, known throughout the world. However, this great building is far from the only reason to visit the wonderful Italian city. So, what attractions can you see in Pisa?

It is not for nothing that tourists strive to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Having reached it, they find themselves in the very heart of the city, its most beautiful corner - the Square of Miracles or, as the Italians themselves call it, Piazza dei Miracoli. The architectural complex of the square has no analogues in the whole world: in addition to the famous tower, there are three more monumental sights located in Piazza dei Miracoli. This medieval buildings, unique in their beauty and grandeur: the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Baptistery and the Campo Santo cemetery.

Although crowds of tourists gather at the Leaning Tower of Pisa all the time, the central architectural monument of the square is not it at all, but the cathedral. The construction of this building began in the 11th century. The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a striking example of the Romanesque style. It is made of white and gray marble, decorated with ancient mosaics, frescoes, and massive bronze doors. The cathedral contains the most valuable relics of the Middle Ages - the relics of saints.

The Baptistery of John the Baptist (San Giovanni) was built after the construction of the cathedral, but a little earlier than the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

This building served as a place for baptism. Italy and the city of Pisa can rightfully be proud of this building: the Pisa Baptistery is the largest in the country. Its height is almost 55 m, and its circumference is 107 m. The architectural monument has an unusual style, representing a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic styles. This is explained by the fact that in the construction of a structure in different time 3 architects participated.

In the northern part of Piazza dei Miracoli is the Campo Santo cemetery. This, of course, is not at all the kind of cemetery that most Russian tourists can imagine. Camposanto Monumental is a majestic historical building in the Gothic style. It is built in the form of a long covered gallery with large arches. There was once a large number of Roman sarcophagi located here, but due to a fire that occurred during World War II, only a small part of the frescoes, sculptures and sarcophagi themselves survived.

Speaking about the Square of Miracles, of course, one cannot help but touch upon the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It is this attraction that tourists visiting the city first seek. Perhaps what made this building a unique monument was not so much its architecture as its famous slope.

Many people mistakenly believe that the tilt of the tower is an amazing architectural idea, but scientists are increasingly inclined to believe that a serious mistake was made during construction: the architects did not take into account the composition of the soil on which the structure was erected, and, moreover, they made it too small for such a monumental building foundation.

Today, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is regularly restored and efforts are made to save it from destruction.

Undoubtedly, many tourists come to the city to look at the Square of Miracles. But don’t forget about another famous Pisa square – Piazza dei Cavalieri, which, by the way, is the second most important Pisa landmark. The history of this place goes back more than one century. Once the headquarters of the knightly order named after St. Stephen was located here (hence the name of the attraction, which translates as “Square of the Knights”), and now the whole city knows Piazza dei Cavalieri as the center of the educational sphere of Pisa: the building of the highest university is located on the square educational institution– Normal school, also known as Palazzo della Carovana, a former knight’s palace.

The most interesting detail of this building is the decoration of the facade, made using a special sgraffito technique. The walls of the palace are covered with images of the zodiac signs and allegorical figures, decorated with the coat of arms of the famous Medici dynasty and sculpted busts of masters of the knightly order. Inside the building, ancient paintings from the 16th century are still preserved.

Also in the square you can see the only Renaissance church in Pisa, built in the mid-16th century, Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri, the Palazzo del Orologio (“Clock Tower”) and the Church of Saint Rocco.

Churches of Pisa

Italy is one of those countries where you can find architectural landmarks associated with religion on every corner. We are, of course, talking about temples, cathedrals and churches, of which there are a lot in Pisa. In addition to the Cathedral in the Square of Miracles in Pisa, there are also the following structures of this kind:

1. Santa Maria della Spina is a 13th-century Gothic temple, one of the most striking examples gothic architecture not only in Italy, but throughout Europe. According to legend, the thorn from the wreath that was placed on the head of Jesus, crucified on Golgotha, was once kept here.
2. San Paolo a Ripa d'Arno is a church on the banks of the Arno River, built in the Romanesque style. This is one of the oldest buildings in Pisa: the exact year of its creation is still unknown, but researchers have established that the church definitely existed here already at the beginning of the 11th century. A unique painting dating back to the 12th century has been preserved on the walls of the temple to this day.
3. Santo Sepolcro is an octagonal Romanesque church built at the beginning of the 12th century. The architect of the building was Diotisalvi - the same man who, many years later, participated in the construction of the Pisa Cathedral and the Baptistery in the Square of Miracles. The name of the church is translated as “Church of the Holy Sepulcher”: according to legend, valuable relics brought from the Jerusalem temple were located here for some time.
4. San Nicola. The first mention of this attraction dates back to the end of the 11th century. Many years later, the church was expanded, a chapel was added to it, and new altars were added. The building is interesting not only for its architecture and appearance, but also for its interior decoration. Ancient canvases and frescoes by artists of the 14th-15th centuries are still kept here.
5. San Piero a Grado is the oldest architectural monument, which is located in the quarter with the same name. When archaeological excavations were carried out here, traces of an even more ancient structure were discovered - an early Christian temple. The construction of San Piero a Grado began in the 10th century. Today, the church has preserved frescoes from the 14th century, and above the main altar there is a wooden crucifix made in the 17th century.
6. San Sisto is a 12th-century stone church built in the Roman-Pisan architectural style. Every year on August 6, San Sisto holds solemn memorial events dedicated to all residents of the city who died in wars.

If you are visiting the city of Pisa, be sure to take the time to explore these unique attractions with centuries of history. Ancient architecture, majestic facades, stunning ancient frescoes - all this is truly worthy of attention.

Quarter of San Martino

The city of Pisa is famous primarily for its architecture, so tourists especially enjoy a walk through the San Martino quarter, where ancient sights can be found literally on every corner. Many travelers prefer to explore the quarter on their own, leisurely wandering through its picturesque streets. By the way, this is where the beautiful church of Santo Sepolcro, which has already been mentioned above, is located.

Italy is famous for its luxurious medieval palaces, and Pisa's San Martino is one of those quarters where there are especially many of them. Particularly notable are Palazzo Tizzoni and Palazzo Cevoli. The Tizzoni family, famous in Pisa, once lived in the first of them. The main and most valuable attractions of this palace are a beautiful marble bas-relief depicting the young savior of Pisa, Chinziki dei Sismondi (in the 11th century she defended the city from the attack of Turkish troops), and an ancient Roman sarcophagus dating back to the 3rd-4th century. The famous Cevoli family also lived in Palazzo Cevoli, which once hosted the Danish king Federico IV. In memory of this, an inscription in Latin remained on the facade of the palace, and inside, on the walls of the building, frescoes are still preserved, on which you can see representatives of the royal dynasty.

San Martino stretches along the Lungarno Galilei promenade. This gives the quarter a special beauty: in the evening, dozens of lights are lit in ancient buildings, they are reflected in the water surface, and the atmosphere of the area becomes simply amazing.

No less beautiful is another embankment of San Martino - Lungarno Fibonacci, named after the famous mathematician. It was here that there was a place for another beautiful and fascinating attraction - the majestic fortress of Fortezza Sangallo, inside of which there is an impressive garden called Giardino Scotto - in memory of the former owners of the fortress. Today the garden has become a public park and is one of the largest in Pisa.

Now you know what to see when visiting a small Italian city famous throughout the world. Thanks to a trip to Pisa, many travelers remember Italy with special delight for a long time, because the sights of the “Tuscan Pearl” leave a truly indelible impression.

The museum city of Europe, located in a bend of the Arno River, amazes tourists with the abundance of architectural attractions built in the Middle Ages. Majestic churches, cathedrals and other ancient buildings of the 12th-18th centuries organically coexist with modern buildings, and this gives Italian city peculiar coloring.

In this article we will share a description of all the attractions of Pisa with photos and recommendations for visiting.

About the city

In the Middle Ages the city was a major maritime hub, its huge port received ships from the most different countries, and on the pier they heard English, French, and Arabic speech.

Modern Pisa no longer has its own access to the sea, although it is located half an hour from the Tyrrhenian coast. Today the city is famous throughout the world for its famous architectural structures, which are a medieval heritage.

What to see?

When the name of the city - Pisa - is mentioned in a conversation, a landmark that comes to mind is the most recognizable and famous landmark in Italy - the Leaning Tower of Pisa. However, Pisa has many beautiful churches and cathedrals, huge museums with interesting collections, palaces and simply interesting places where you can stroll.

For example, Square of Miracles (aka Cathedral Square), where the main attractions of Pisa are located - the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Baptistery, the Cathedral, Campo Sante.

University of Pisa and Botanical Garden represent a whole architectural complex. The educational institution received University status in the middle of the 13th century, and its work began a century earlier. Mostly humanitarian disciplines were studied here, and later a medical faculty was opened (it was at this faculty that Galileo Galilei was admitted at one time).

Among the patrons and patrons of the arts many influential people of that time were listed, for example, Duke Cosimo from Tuscany and the Medici family (the Botanical Garden appeared under their patronage). Among the famous students who studied at the University are the scientist Galileo Galilei (graduated from the Faculty of Medicine), physicist Carlo Rubia (Nobel laureate), opera tenor Andrea Bocelli (Faculty of Law).

The Botanical Garden presents the entire diversity of the world's flora - for example, a collection of cacti, camellias, hydrangeas and other “blooming” beauty. There is a fee to visit the garden - a ticket costs 3 €.

Architectural landmarks

About 90 sarcophagi dating back to antiquity and the Middle Ages have survived to this day, and sculptures and bas-reliefs inside the covered galleries depict scenes from the Old Testament.

Museums

Churches and cathedrals

In the same years when the construction of the Cathedral was underway, St. Mark's Cathedral was being built in Venice, so the architects tried to outdo each other in the solemnity and pretentiousness of the structures being erected.

• The modern appearance of the Cathedral is due to numerous restorations; all sculptures on the façade and inside the cathedral premises have been replaced with copies, and the originals can be admired in the Cathedral Museum. Inside the Cathedral, in its main hall, you can see another miracle - lamp "Lamp of Galileo": A huge bronze chandelier hanging from a height of 50 meters sways with the slightest breath of wind, and it is truly a breathtaking sight.

  

  You can visit the cathedral daily from 8 to 19 hours (in winter - until 17 hours), ticket price to the museum is 2 euros, and the cathedral itself can be viewed for free.
  

• Church of Santa Maria della Spino is small and not as majestic as other church buildings, but for a long time it housed an ancient Christian relic - a thorn from the crown of thorns that was on the head of Jesus Christ (later this relic was transferred to the Church of Santa Chiara).

  

• St. Catherine's Church, built in the 13th century, features a beautiful façade made of white and gray marble.

  

  In the second half of the 17th century, the church survived the fire, which caused some damage interior decoration churches. Fortunately, almost all the icons, numerous paintings and frescoes have survived, and today the works of the Middle Ages masters are available for inspection.
  

• Baptistery in Pisa.

  The round building in the Romanesque style began to be built at the beginning of the 12th century (1153) according to the design of the architect Diotisalvi, who was later joined by the sculptors Nicolo and Giovanni Pisano. Initially, the baptistery was conceived as a place for performing the sacrament of Baptism. If you look closely at the Baptistery, you will see you can notice a slight tilt towards the Pisa Cathedral.

  

Many cities have been built under the sultry Italian sun, which today are in high demand among lovers of the warm southern sun and Italian exoticism. But Pisa stands apart even on their list. After all, if it weren’t for tourists, the city itself would not have existed for a long time.

General information

Pisa, located in the Tuscany region, ten kilometers from the Ligurian Sea, is the administrative center of a small province bearing the same name.

The unofficial symbol of the city is recognized throughout the world as the Leaning Tower, which since 1986, along with the cathedral, square and baptistery, has been classified as a world heritage. The city has its own patron saint - Saint Rainer ( San Ranieri) and its own holiday, which is celebrated every year on June 17.

The city is located on a plain, stretching along the banks of the Arno River. The population of Pisa is about 87 thousand inhabitants.

Weather in Pisa

The climate in the city, as indeed throughout Central Italy, is Mediterranean. In January, the average temperature ranges from 0 to +12 °C, in July - +20...+28 °C. The largest amount of precipitation falls in October-November - 120 mm. Frosts in winter period, lasting from November to March, are extremely rare.

The summer months are considered the most comfortable in terms of weather, especially since during this period many students leave the city.

Transport in Pisa

Pisa - small town, and therefore the most optimal way to travel around the city is walking.

It is also possible to rent bicycles at MaxiRent (Cesare Battisti street 13). This service will cost 1 euro per day and is only available from Monday to Saturday.

Districts of Pisa

Starting from the first years of its existence, the city was divided into quarters. On the left bank was the Kinzic quarter, eventually divided into two: southeastern San Martino and southwestern San Antonio, and on the right the other three, Mezzo, Ponte and Foriporta. .

Today, the Santa Maria quarter has gained worldwide fame, because it is concentrated most of city ​​attractions. Also of interest to travelers, tourists and simply curious guests of the city are the neighborhoods of San Antonio and San Francesca.

But in the southeastern quarter of San Martino it is quite difficult to meet visitors. There are few attractions here, and the area is inhabited mainly by the city's indigenous inhabitants.

Sights of Pisa

Pisa is a city with firmly rooted Catholic traditions, and therefore most of its attractions are places of worship.

Thus, the Cathedral complex, called Piazza dei Miracoli (“Square of Miracles”), is located away from the current city center and covers the following complex of monuments:

• Leaning Tower of Pisa ( Torre pendente di Pisa),
• Pisa Cathedral ( Duomo di Pisa),
• Baptistery of San Giovanni ( Battistero di San Giovanni) works by G. Pisano and Diatisalvi,
• Camposanto Cemetery ( Camposanto Monumentale).

Also worthy of attention:

• Museo Opera del Duomo,
• Auostini Palace,
• Borgo Stretto area,
• Church and square of the Knights of St. Stephen.

Some of the attractions in Pisa have a truly remarkable history:

Cathedral The city was erected in 1064 and became the model by which religious buildings in Central Italy were built. The cathedral is decorated with statues by Giovanni and Niccolo Pisano, who later founded their own school of sculptors.

The Leaning Tower, which has won worldwide fame, was founded in 1173. It was supposed to serve as a bell tower in the Cathedral, but it began to tilt during the construction process. Naturally, it was not permissible to use it for its intended purpose, and therefore the architects tried to strengthen the tower, the construction of which began on very unstable soil. For almost 200 years they tried to “level it out”, but all attempts were in vain. For a long time, the tower continued to tilt and was leveled to the level of the Renaissance only in 1999. After reconstruction, this architectural miracle is now again available for viewing.

Churches San Paolo a Ripa d'Arno And San Stefano dei Cavalieri also famous objects that owe their creation to the world-famous architect Giorgio Vasari. Their lush architecture is unparalleled in other Italian cities.

A number of Pisa attractions are located along the Arno River embankment:

San Pietro a Grado- an 11th-century basilica on the left bank of the river, famous for the clear lines of the Romano-Pisan style. According to legend, the building stands on the spot where the Apostle Peter once rested on his way from Constantinople to Rome.

Abbey of San Zeno- a recognized masterpiece of Romanesque architecture, built in the 10th century.

Church of Santa Caterina, dating from the 13th century, built on the site where the first Christian chapel was once located. This building is a striking example of Italian architecture from the early Middle Ages.

Of particular interest in Pisa are the buildings erected by the genius Giorgio Vasari.

The Palace of the Clock consists of two towers united by a small arch. This building later housed the library of the Higher School.

High School building, located on the Square of the Knights. This school was founded by Napoleon and continues to impress today with its slanted marble staircases.

Church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri also created by the hands of a brilliant architect. At a later time, local craftsmen decorated the interior of the church building with exquisite paintings that have survived to this day and were restored by order of the modern Italian government.

University of Pisa considered one of the most ancient and prestigious in the world. He gained worldwide fame a long time ago, as evidenced by the fact that Galileo Galilei taught here. For the University Palace, by order of Lorenzo the Magnificent, a grandiose building was erected, which in the Middle Ages was also called the Palace of Wisdom.

Holidays in Pisa

The city hosts many secular and religious holidays, among which the most popular are:

Palio of Saint Rainer(Palio di San Ranieri) is a very colorful, vibrant holiday that is celebrated every year on June 17th. Residents of the city dedicated it to their patron, and the main celebrations are held on the banks of the Arno River. The celebration includes a parade of motorcades, and at the end there is a lively and emotional regatta.

Games on the Bridge (Gioco del Ponte) is one of the new, but surprisingly popular holidays, during which a parade of knights takes place, as well as a procession of people dressed in ancient outfits.

Pisa Restaurants

The main feature of Pisan cuisine is its aromas and spiciness. It’s best to eat not in the Leaning Tower area (it’s expensive and tasteless), but somewhere off the beaten track hiking trails. It is worth trying the Pisa soup, as well as the frog soup (very tasty according to eyewitnesses) and the bean soup called San Michele.

• Osteria di Culegna - located on the main pedestrian street Mercanti),
• Vineria di Piazza (Piazza delle Vettovaglie) - offers visitors an excellent selection of wines and national cuisine
• Il Montino (on the street del Monte) - perfectly prepared pizza and focaccia at reasonable prices
• La Stanzina (on Calvalca street near Piazza delle Vettovaglie).

Expensive, but quite tasty, you can dine in such famous establishments as:

• Osteria dei Cavalieri (on Via San Frediano near Piazza dei Cavalieri),
• Funicolì (at L. Bianchi 33),
• Pizzeria Tavola Calda La Tana (on San Frediano street),
• La Mescita (on Via Cavalca near Piazza delle Vettovaglie).

By the way, tourists rarely visit the last two, and therefore a surprisingly calm atmosphere reigns here.

Things to do in Pisa

Both lovers of excursions and those who prefer free time in nature can find entertainment to suit their taste in Pisa.

• The Ente Parco Regionale Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli park is located a short walk from the city center and is a complex of picturesque alleys and secluded corners in which picnics are allowed.
• Giardino Scotto Park is a great place for the whole family to relax, with a playground for children.
• The Orto Botanico Botanical Garden is famous for its unique collection of plants brought from exotic countries. Each specimen has a sign with a description, which makes the walk not only entertaining, but also educational.
• Akua Keta - a disco that will appeal to all dance lovers, is considered the noisiest and largest in the city.

Shopping in Pisa

Pisa, unlike Milan, is not considered an active shopping destination, but there are still places here that are worthy of close attention from buyers. They are wearing exotic name“Chocolate Valley” and offer delicious handmade chocolate.

Also in Pisa you can buy things that have absorbed all the local flavor - faience mugs stylized as a tower, souvenirs with the image of the same tower. In addition, you can buy authentic items from Africa in local souvenir shops.

Hotels in Pisa

Pisa is a corner of Italy in miniature, which will appeal to those who love life in all its manifestations. The Middle Ages are still alive here, living side by side peacefully with modern, sometimes crazy, rhythms of life. And this is the main charm of the city.

What do you know about Pisa? Surely, you grinned after reading this question and are ready to give an answer... Probably, like most tourists, for you Pisa is the city where the famous falling tower. In fact, this is far from the most interesting place in the Italian town.

Much more people who come to admire the Leaning Tower of Pisa are amazed Cathedral of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin Mary and the baptistery (but more on them a little later). In addition, of interest is the local university, which today has more than 60,000 students (out of a total population of 90,000 people), where I once studied Galileo Galilei.

National symbol of Italy- a leaning tower, located in the city center, on Cathedral Square, or as it is called, Square of Miracles. We suggest starting with a visit to this legendary place. virtual tour sightseeing in Pisa.

What is a must see in Pisa?

Square of Miracles unlike any square in the world. Firstly, nowhere else have religious buildings been erected on such a large area. Typically, cathedrals are crowded among residential buildings and other buildings on a small piece of land. In Pisa, the cathedral, bell tower, baptistery and cemetery occupy a huge area.

Secondly, only in Pisa can you see the charming contrast of open green meadow and stone buildings. Looking at the beautiful architectural ensemble, built with extreme precision, but deviating to the side, every now and then you think: why didn’t the architects take into account the peculiarities of the sandy soil?

On the other hand, if not for an unfortunate miscalculation, the city would not have been able to boast of a huge number of tourists. What interesting things await travelers at the Square of Miracles?

Famous Leaning Tower of Pisa

Tower (also known as bell tower) Cathedral of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin Mary) was built over two centuries. It is not known for certain who its architect was. The chronicles of Bernardo Maragone mention only the year the construction began - 1173 and several names: Gerardo di Gerardo, Diotisalv and Bonanno.

Did one of them rebuild the 11-meter first floor, and only then discovered that the tower deviated vertically by 4 centimeters? Today it is already known for certain that the tower began to fall due to an error in calculations during the design, and because of moving sandy soil. Everyone who tried to complete the bell tower failed.

Only the upper part, built in the second half of the 19th century, stands more or less straight.
As soon as the construction was completed, the authorities began to solve a new problem: to strengthen the collapsing structure. What options did architects and local residents offer!

Among the most popular was the construction next to the tower of a statue of an unlucky builder, who would hold his creation with his head, hands, and knees. Such a curious project, of course, was abandoned, and for many years they were guided only by scientific achievements.

So, in 1996, steel cables were installed, soil was removed from the northern part of the foundation, etc. One way or another, but, according to expert reports, the leaning of the Leaning Tower of Pisa is decreasing from year to year. In two years it shrinks by 2.5 mm, and perhaps in the future it will become vertical.

30 million euros were spent to save the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This could not but affect the cost of the ticket allowing you to examine the bell tower from the inside. Today it costs 18 euros, but, as guides predict, the ticket will only become more expensive. By the way, keep in mind that only 40 people can be on the Leaning Tower of Pisa at a time.

Tourists, in addition to the legendary history of the construction of this legendary Italian structure, need to know a couple more interesting points. Once upon a time, being at the very top of the bell tower, Galileo Galilei made a great discovery. Of course, we are talking about the law of universal gravitation.

Contemporaries can also become famous: since 2013, there has been work in the tower (the famous 294 steps lead there) "Hall of Fish", where you can look at the sky through a telescope.

Leaning Tower of Pisa– not just a tourist attraction. As planned many years ago, it serves as the bell tower of the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The seven bells installed on its top are capable of playing any melody.

Take note: The Leaning Tower of Pisa welcomes tourists all year round. From April to September the entrance is open from 8.30 am to 20.30 pm, and from 14.06 to 15.09 even night visits are allowed (from closing until 23.00).

It will be useful for any tourist to know. After all, this small state is incredibly beautiful and interesting.

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Baptistery

Pisa Baptistery- not only an artistic decoration of the Square of Miracles. For a long time it was erected to perform the sacrament of Baptism within its walls. The first stone was laid in 1153 by the architect Diotisalvi, a little later he was joined by famous Italian sculptors Giovanni and Nicola Pisano.

The first thing tourists notice when peering at this harmonious building is a slight tilt towards the cathedral. And only after this do they notice the numerous figures of prophets and saints located both in the lower part of the structure and on the dome.

The latter is decorated with a sculpture of John the Baptist. Inside, a particularly valuable and interesting exhibit is the hexagonal marble pulpit, created by Nicolo Pisano.

While looking at the arches and numerous columns, don’t miss the moment when a museum worker appears and demonstrates the acoustic capabilities of the baptistery. Three notes he strikes in a row wander through space as a solid chord.

Take note: You can visit the baptistery on any day, with the exception of December 25 and January 1. In summer its doors are open from eight in the morning to eight in the evening. Ticket prices are 5 and 2 euros for adults and children respectively.

Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Pisa Cathedral, or as it is also called, the Pisa Cathedral, began to be built in 1064 with only one purpose - to emphasize the importance of the Pisa Maritime Republic in trade.

Many eminent architects had a hand in the construction of the cathedral. For example, the doors for the facade and the doors of the right transept were made by Bonanno Pisano (only the latter can be viewed, the first were destroyed by fire in 1595), and the carved pulpit was made by Giovanni Pisano.

Opposite the department there is another particularly valuable exhibit - a lamp "Galileo's Lamp". This bronze chandelier hangs from a height of 49 meters and sways with the influence of air currents.

Observing these uniform movements, Galileo Galilei discovered the law of isochronism of pendulum oscillations.
The treasury contains the famous statue of the Virgin Mary by Giovanni Pisano (ivory carving).

Take note: By paying 2 euros you can get inside the Cathedral in Pisa. In summer it is open from 8.00 to 19.40; in winter the opening hours are reduced.

Camposanto - indoor monumental cemetery

It is located in the northern part of the Square of Miracles. Numerous tombstones of prominent figures in Pisa stand on holy soil brought by the Crusaders from Mount Golgotha. Construction of the cemetery lasted for almost three centuries. Its walls were painted with frescoes, but not many of them survived: during a fire caused by the bombing of World War II, most of them melted.

Currently, Camposanto houses 80 sarcophagi of ancient and medieval origin. University rectors, associate professors, and rulers rest in them. It is unlikely that their names will be familiar to tourists from the CIS countries, but the name of the great mathematician Fibonacci is well-known even among schoolchildren.

The entrance ticket will cost 5 euros. Its work schedule coincides with the baptistery's work schedule.

University of Pisa

The Pisan educational institution was awarded university status on September 3, 1343. At that time he specialized in the humanities, but there was also a medical faculty. It was precisely this that the young man entered Galileo Galilei.

He had little interest in learning obscure Latin terms. Luckily for him, just at this time a fateful meeting took place with a famous mathematician of that time Ostilio Ricci.

Over the course of many centuries, the University of Pisa either ceased its work or reopened. The educational institution becomes especially famous when the Tuscan Duke Cosimo I (under whom the university’s charter was approved) and the Medici family (they founded a huge botanical garden that is still functioning today) became its patrons.

Many talented and world-famous personalities have emerged from the walls of the University of Pisa. Such as you already know

• Galileo Galilei
• physicists Enrico Fermi and Carlo Rubbia (Nobel Prize laureates)
• poet Joshua Carducci (also Nobel Prize winner)
• opera singer Andrea Bocelli

Today, students of the University of Pisa study in 11 faculties. Tuition is paid and amounts to approximately 2000 euros per year. This amount is relatively low, because the university is one of the top three
the best in Italy.

In addition to what has already been mentioned above botanical garden, there are 5 museums in the buildings of the educational institution:

• measuring instruments
• medical
• graphics
• local history
• veterinary

Those interested in human anatomy can get acquainted with the collection of the same name. Looking at its exhibits, you involuntarily compare the exhibition with the St. Petersburg Kunstkamera.

Take note: visiting the botanical garden is paid. An excursion during which visitors get acquainted with collections of cacti, hydrangeas, orchids and camellias will cost 2.5 euros.

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Photos of some of the sights of Pisa

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. It was still okay in the rain, 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 quite 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. You can also see there 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, simple ones are not famous houses Pisa does not 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.