Only about ten kilometers from the sea rises the beautiful town of Pisa, which is divided in two by River Arno. It is believed that its origins are ancient and that the city was founded by the Ligurians, although it soon passed under the control of Longobards and then to the Marquisate of Tuscany. During the following three centuries, it became a major Maritime Republic and won innumerable battles, while the 11th and 12th centuries saw the flourishing of the arts thanks to artists such as Nicola Pisano or Arnolfo di Cambio, who built the famous monuments that millions of tourists still come to see and photograph. Further to be a wonderful arts towns to visit during a holiday in Tuscany, it hosts some of the best universities of the world, such as the "Scuola Normale Superiore". Pisa became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1860 and it is now a young, lively student city full of architectural wonders.
Would you like to visit this wonderful city? Then follow our travel tips and discover which are the best things to see in this ancient Tuscan town to organize your tour in the best way!
Moreover, have a look to our wonderful holiday rentals near Pisa to get the best out of your time: we suggest our Villa De Ranieri or Villa Bonriposo!
1) The Cathedral
This Romanesque-Pisan masterpiece was built in 1063 by the architect Buschetto, but the works were carried out by Rainaldo. It has a Latin cross shape and a well-decorated façade presenting five order of arches and three bronze portals. The church is made with the prestigious white Carrara marble and its interiors present several artworks. The most impressing is the pulpit made by Giovanni Pisano in the 14th century, which features some decorative scenes inspired by the Bible. Enter this magnificent building and get astonished in front of its beauty!
2) The Baptistery
This majestic white building built by architects Diotisalvi and Nicola Pisano is 55 meters tall and it has a diameter of over 35 meters. The external decorations were added later and inside it there is an imposing Baptismal Font, further to a gorgeous pulpit made by Nicola Pisano. If you are in Piazza dei Miracoli, you cannot skip to enter this major monument!
3) The Tower
The Hanging Tower of Pisa has been called one of the world's seven wonders and it is a really unique monument. Its gradient is due to a collapse of the ground during its building, which started in 1194 under the direction of Bonanno Pisano. Every year its gradient increases, so mant restoration works has been carried out recently to avoid its falling. It is fully visitable and it is possibile to reach its top climbing a staircase: from its beautiful terrace, you'll enjoy a wonderful view over the whole city!
4) The Museum of the Cathedral
This special museum was organized in 1896 in a pre-existing building called "Casa dei Canonici". It develops in 23 halls and it includes corridors, galleries and a beautiful cloister. Its amazing works were transferred here from the Baptistery, the Cathedral and the Tower, so it presents various important art masterpieces. Buy a ticket and get inside!
5) The Monumental Cemetery
The so-called "Camposanto" is a churchyard which is today the seat of an important museum and it is divided from Piazza dei Miracoli by a long marble wall with blind arches. Entering the building, you will be struck by the elegance of the architecture and by the beautiful frescoed walls, which overlook halls with statues, sarcophaguses and important Italian artworks.
6) Piazza dei Cavalieri
This Piazza is a vast irregular square around which rise many artistically important buildings. The most important is the palace hosting the "Scuola Normale di Pisa", which was built by Vasari in the 16th century, but you will also find the splendid Palazzo dell'Orologio, Palazzo dei Cavalieri, Chiesa di Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri, the Fountain and the Statue of Cosimo I de'Medici. While you can appreciate the luxuriant beauty of this site by day, you will see a very different scenario by night, when the square gets crowded by students and young groups of friends that like to spend here their free time.
7) The Museum of the Sinopie
This museum overlooks Piazza dei Miracoli and it was built in 1257 by Giovanni de Simone as a home for the sick and the poor. Later, it was turned into a hospital and it is now an interesting museum conserving "sinopie", which are the first sketches of frescoes drawn on prepared walls. Its masterpieces were made by art geniuses such as Giotto, Buonamico di Buffalmacco or Spinello Aretino.
8) The Church of Santa Maria della Spina
If you have been to Pisa, you have certainly seen this peculiar building near River Arno. This church was built in 1323 in Gothic style and, for some time, it contained a thorn from Jesus crown on the Cross. It is definitely a place to see and photograph if you are walking on the Lungarno Gambacorti!
9) The National Museum of San Matteo
This museum is placed on the banks of River Arno, next to the beautiful palazzo medici. It is one of Italy's major museums, as it contains some inestimable works by Maestros from the 12th-13th centuries. Marble sculptures, lovely paintings, statues and frescoes will make your visit very pleasant!
10) The Old Cittadella
The Cittadella is an ancient fortress built near the city walls and it was built in the 13th century. After the destructions caused by the wars between the Pisans and the Florentines, it was rebuilt by Ferdinando I in the 15th century. Unfortunately it is not possible to visit it, but you can stil admire its beauty from the outside.
11) The Luminara and the historic Regatta of San Ranieri
The Luminara takes place every year on the night between June 16th and 17th in honour of San Ranieri, the town's Patron Saint. It is an incredible event, during which all the building overlooking the river are lit up and the fireworks reflect their colors on its waters. On June 17th, Pisa organizes the beautiful "Regata Storica", in which men dressed in historic costumes row richly decorated ancient boats.
© Alice Pilastri
