Pisa Beyond the Tower

by Alex Cook Traveller & Astrologer

Obviously, the show stealer and stopper in the small, beautiful, Tuscan town of Pisa is it’s astonishingly lopsided tower. But, there’s more to the Piazza dei Miracoli (formerly known as the Piazza del Duomo) and the city of Pisa than just it’s leaning tower.

Piazza del Duomo

The Piazza dei Miracoli is an 8-hectare square that sits in the middle of the Pisa. It is recognized as one of the most stunning architectural complexes in the world and a center of European medieval art.

What you can find there?

The heart of the Piazza dei Miracoli is its breathtaking medieval cathedral dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta (St. Mary of the Assumption). When construction was completed in 1092, it was the largest cathedral in Europe and was used as a model for many of the of the Romanesque churches later built in Tuscany.

The Baptistery, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, sits directly opposite the cathedral. This ornately beautiful, round structure is the largest baptistery in Italy. Step inside, and lets its immensity bowl you over. Again, it is built in Romanesque style, with its loggia and dome, which were added later, built in the Gothic style.

And, last, but certainly not least there is the campanile, more commonly known as the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This is located behind the cathedral. Construction began in 1173 and took just shy of 200 years to build. It gets its distinctive tilt from the soft soil it was built on and by the time the tower had completed three of its eight stories people had begun to notice.

How do I get there?

Pisa is super accessible from Florence. So, if you’re staying in the Tuscan capital and looking for a day trip, Pisa makes for a perfect place to head. Jump on the “Regionale Veloce” train that travels between Pisa and Florence on the hour. The ride takes approximately 60 minutes and arrives at Pisa Centrale Railway Station.

From Pisa Centrale to the Piazza dei Miracoli jump on the LAM Rossa bus and ride it to Via Cammeo/Piazza Manin. Here continue on 450 meters by foot to the tower itself. You can also take the N. 4 bus. For this get off at Arcivescovado and walk 200 meters to the tower.

If you’re coming from the from Pisa International Airport, you can also grab the LAM ROSSA bus line here. Again, take it to the stop Cammeo/Piazza Manin.