The very interesting Italian city of Pisa is located in the Tuscany region. World famous buildings such as the Leaning Tower and the Cathedral attract millions of tourists to Pisa every year. There is of course much more to see. A nice phenomenon to watch is how other tourists take a picture with the tower of Pisa. You don’t want to know how many times the tower is supposedly pushed over within 24 hours.
There are many other historic buildings, squares and palaces that are definitely worth a visit. Pisa is certainly an interesting city in terms of art and architecture. We have tried to put together the most special sights for you.
Top 10 sights of Pisa
#1. Leaning Tower of Pisa
According to shoe-wiki, the most famous monument of Pisa must be its leaning tower ‘Torre pendente di Pisa’. The bell tower (campanile) belongs to the next cathedral ‘Duomo di Pisa’. Since the beginning of construction in 1173, things went wrong with the tower. The first floors were built crooked. In the years that followed, they tried to get it right with new floors, but they did not succeed. For safety reasons, several attempts were made to prevent the tower from actually falling over. It was even closed to the public for a while. After the last renovation, the tower would have been declared stable in 2008.
#2. Piazza dei Miracoli
This main square in Pisa, which is even considered one of the most important centers of medieval art in the world, is home to the city’s top attractions. The square is also called Piazza del Duomo. Here the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Duomo and the Baptistry are close together.
#3. The Duomo
This medieval ‘Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta’ is, next to the Leaning Tower, the most famous building in Pisa. The architectural Romanesque building style can be found very richly, especially in terms of embellishment. They really didn’t cut back on anything at the time. Construction started around 1064 and was then consecrated in 1118. Over the years, some adjustments and restorations have taken place. The inside is also magnificent and even that is an understatement.
#4. Baptistery
As a separate part of the Duoma di Santa Maria Assunta, this baptistery was built around 1152. It is still the largest baptistery in Italy. The baptismal font designed by Guido da Como dates from 1246. This building is also made with great beauty, following the other complexes on the Piazza dei Miracoli.
#5. National Museum of the Palazzo Reale
This sixteenth century palace once belonged to the wealthy Medici family. Now today the yellow colored palace is a museum. This ‘Museo Nazionale di Palazzo Reale’ offers a glimpse into the lives of the Medici, Lorraine and Savoy families who lived there. Old furniture, paintings and carpets are well preserved.
#6. Botanical Garden
At the University of Pisa is the beautifully decorated ‘Orto Botanico di Pisa’. The botanist Luca Ghini was in charge of the garden shortly after it was founded in 1544. In 1591, however, the garden was moved to its current location on Via Luca Gini in Pisa. There are now beautiful ponds, herb gardens, a natural history museum, library and an arboretum.
#7. Piazza dei Cavalieri
After Piazza del Duomo, this is the most important and most famous square in the city of Pisa. For example, the city used to be ruled from here. This ‘square of the knights’ is also known as Knights Square. You will find the Palazzo della Carovana with the statue of Cosimo, Palazzo dell’Orologio, San Rocco, Palazzo del Collegio Puteano and the Palazzo del Consiglio dei Dodici.
#8. Corso Italia
Everyone knows that Italy is known for its refined taste of fashion, good food and conviviality. All this is perfectly centered in the pleasant, yet small shopping area of Pisa. Most of the shops are on Corso Italia and Borgo Stretto. Two beautiful historic districts surround Corso Italia. Unfortunately, a number of old buildings have been restored or rebuilt and thus radically modernized.
#9. Sant’Antionio
This oldest district of the city of Pisa is located on the river Arno. The district is full of impressive and eye-catching old buildings, churches and a Benedictine monastery. Be sure to visit the white Santa Maria della Spina church and take a walk through the Lungarno Gambacorti. Once you pass under the bridge ‘Ponte della Cittadella’ you enter another historic district. This is the district ‘Santa Maria’.
#10. Teatro Verdi
Loved by many Italians and watched by all tourists! This theater is known as the traditional, most beautiful and most authentic theater in Italy. The theater opened in 1867 with room for about 900 guests. The inside keeps all promises. The balconies are especially beautiful.
