Things To Do in Pisa – Amazing Historical Sites

Pisa is a renowned city in Tuscany on the western coast of Italy. Most tourists think this city is only known for the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but it has many other unique sites. The city has a population of 91,000, one of Italy’s smallest, and is only 20 minutes away from the Ligurian Sea. You can ride the train to Pisa directly from any major city in the country.

History of the City of Pisa 

Pisa was a substantial naval base and commercial port in the Roman period and remained there for centuries. In the 11th century, Pisa’s economic status significantly improved, and its population grew. The city enjoyed a period of prosperity and became a massive rival of Genoa and Venice. 

In the 12th century, when Pisa was at the height of its power, it controlled Corsica, Sardinia, and the Tuscan coast, which were influential cities at that time, too. When you visit this wonderful city, you will be attracted by its Pisan-Romanesque architectural style, which uses coloured marble and subtle references to Andalucian architectural styles. You will be genuinely amazed by the colours designed by the tremendous father-and-son sculptural team Nicola and Giovanni Pisano.

After years and years of prosperity, when commerce and industry flourished, the city fell in 1284 when it was defeated in the battle of Meloria. The town fell once again under Florence’s rule in 1406. However, the city continued its achievements when a ruler called Médici took a keen interest in it, constructing bridges and canals and encouraging great artistic, literary, and scientific efforts. He reestablished Pisa’s university, where the city’s most famous son, Galileo Galilei, taught in the late 16th century. After World War II started, massive damage was caused to the city, and 40% of the old town was said to be damaged.

Transportation

Since Pisa is considered one of the smallest cities in Italy, transportation is effortless. Many of Pisa’s most famous sights are very close to each other. For example, a walk from Piazza del Duomo to the Arno River is only 10 minutes, so walking tours are top-rated in the city.

There is also a train station around 1.5km outside the city, which can be reached on foot or by bus. Pisa Airport is the largest and primary airport in Tuscany. It serves Florence, Pisa, and neighbouring areas.

Let us explore the famous attractions in the beautiful city and learn more about them.  

Things to Do in Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most famous attractions in Pisa and the world. It was founded in 1173 when Pisa was the most potent maritime republic. During its construction, the tower faced many issues. Before the third story was completed, the tower had already begun to sink alarmingly on its southern side. When counterweighting the northern side and slightly increasing the height of the south walls proved ineffective, construction was stopped.

A hundred years later, the tower’s work was resumed. To solve the problem, the builders counteracted the tilt by angling the upper stories more vertically. Tommaso Pisano added the open bell chamber to the white marble tower in 1350 and 1372. The spiral staircase had to have 294 steps to climb to the top of the building. However, the angle of tilt keeps increasing by one millimetre a year. It was initially calculated that the tower would topple by 2000, but it is still standing.

Museo Nazionale (National Museum)

The museum is located on the banks of the Arno River and contains some of the finest pieces of art and sculptures in the city. It also has original monuments from the Cathedral and Baptistery, some gorgeous paintings dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries, ancient manuscripts, and other religious relics from the various churches in Pisa. The museum would be an excellent choice to visit while touring Pisa.

Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta

The cathedral’s construction began in 1063, after Pisa’s naval victory over the Saracen, and was finished in 1118. It has a uniquely Pisan architectural style, including a white marble Romanesque basilica designed by Pisan architect Buscheto. In the apse, a 13th—to 14th-century mosaic of Christ is crowned between the Virgin and John the Evangelist, designed by Cimabue. Giovanni Pisano also designed the pulpit, which was between 1302 and 1311. 

Palazzo dei Cavalieri

This is one of the most essential attractions in the city of Pisa. The palace’s location is Piazza dei Cavalieri, also called the Knights’ Square and considered one of the main squares in Pisa. Its construction started in 1562 when architect Giorgio Vasari began rebuilding and enlarging it, creating the magnificent Palazzo dei Cavalieri, named after the training courses for knights.

The palace is the most magnificent building outside of Piazza dei Miracoli. Its façade is decorated with busts of six Medici Grand Dukes of Tuscany, from Cosimo I to Cosimo III. There is also a double staircase leading up to the entrance. In 1810, it housed an elite college of higher education founded by Napoleon called Scuola Normale Superiore. In front of the building stands a statue of Cosimo I by Piero Francavilla. 

River Arno

River Arno is one of the main rivers in Italy, and it runs 241 kilometres from its source at Mount Falterona. Tourists can enjoy countless walks along the river, where you will revel in the beautiful surrounding landscape. The houses along the river also create a gorgeous backdrop. This part of Pisa is genuinely photogenic.

Baptistery of San Giovanni

It was built in 1153, west of the cathedral, about 100 years after the cathedral. The materials used in designing the Baptistery are the same ones used in building the cathedral, though patterned with different stone colours. In 1260, Nicola Pisano took over responsibility for the project, and from 1285 to 1293, his son Giovanni took over. The conical collar stands on four pillars and eight columns, creating an effect of light and solemnity.

The Baptistery is the free-standing marble pulpit, a 1260 masterpiece by Nicola Pisano, and one of the great masterworks of Romanesque boast. 

Campo Santo (Sacred Field)

This place is called the Sacred Field. It was built in 1278 due to a legend in the city that says Archbishop Ubaldo dei Lanfranchi returned from the Fourth Crusade with different shiploads of land from Golgotha so that the citizens of Pisa could be buried in sacred soil. 

When you enter, you will find the graves of Pisan patricians, and around the sides are Roman sarcophagi. The walls were enveloped with 14th and 15th-century frescoes, but a fire caused by gunnery bombardment in 1944 melted the lead roof, destroying and badly damaging the frescoes.

Orto Botanico (Botanic Garden)

This garden was the first university botanical garden in Europe, founded by Cosimo I de Medici in the middle of the 1500s. It contains many different plants, rare trees, and water gardens. When you visit the garden, you can also see the old botany school, which dates back to the late 1500s and has a façade decorated with seashells. 

Santa Maria Della Spina

It is one of the smallest churches in Pisa, located on the left bank of the Arno. It was once a tiny oratory sitting on the river, but the church suffered severe damages, and in 1871, it was pulled down stone by stone and rebuilt higher up. At the church, there is the western front with two doorways and three distinctive gables, each with a small rose window. On the church’s southern side, a series of arches, including doorways and windows, and higher up, you can see a niche with figures of Christ and the Apostles.

Basilica Romanica di San Piero a Grado

Pisa’s marina is a spectacular sight. This is where the 10th-century basilica was built at the old port of Pisa. The site is well inland today, but 2,000 years ago, the Mediterranean outspread this far. The church was constructed and adjusted for over two centuries. It is lined with frescoes from the inside, with vibrant colours. At the back of the church, drilling reveals the foundations of an earlier Paleo-Christian church and even earlier Roman buildings.

Museo dell’ Opera del Duomo (Cathedral Museum)

This museum is an essential place in Tuscany. One of its best features is the wonderful view of the Leaning Tower from the huge second-floor windows. When you visit the museum, you will see many wonderful artefacts, such as priceless masterpieces made by silversmiths, rich embroideries, tombs, sculptures, and paintings. Paintings were used to decorate the building, but they were brought inside to prevent atmospheric pollution. 

Among the priceless objects that you will see when you visit the museum are the bronze gryphon, the Citharoedus David, the Limoges caskets, the wooden crucifix by Borgognone, the works of Giovanni Pisano, and the crucifix known as the Crocifisso d’Elci.

Palazzo Blu

Also called Palazzo Giuli Rossellini Gualandi, Palazzo Blu contains many paintings and other artworks by Italian artists from the 16th to the 20th century that tourists will enjoy. There are also special exhibitions in many fields, from science to the cinema. The palace would also feature the works of a single artist, such as M.C Escher.

Borgo Stretto

It’s a street in the city’s centre and starts at the Piazza Garibaldi next to the Ponte di Mezzo. There, you will find stores, boutique shops, and cafes. Also, tourists will be attracted to the beautiful architecture of the buildings on this street. 

Guelph Tower

This building is located on the banks of the Arno River. In the 13th and 14th centuries, it was the main shipbuilding area in Pisa. After being the leading shipbuilding, the tower was constructed in the 15th century as a part of the city’s defensive fortifications.

Keith Haring Mural

Keith Haring is an artist best known for his murals. A fabulous mural by the American artist is located just off of the Piazza di Vittoria Emanuele II. The mural is a magnificent piece of artwork that displays a vision of peace and harmony. It also features 30 different figures in various poses. It speaks of life and vitality.

Ponte di Mezzo

It is one of the most outstanding bridges in Pisa, stretching along the River Arno. Sergio Aussant built the bridge in 1947 using White Verona stone. It has fantastic views of the river and great architecture on both sides.

Places to Stay While in Pisa

Bologna Hotel Pisa:

The hotel offers complimentary breakfast and an airport shuttle at affordable prices. It has an old-world vibe and is close to shops and restaurants.

NH Pisa: 

The hotel is located near the train station and offers amenities not found in most Pisa hotels, such as valet parking and soundproof rooms.

Hotel Alessandro della Spina:

It is a three-star hotel with a friendly staff, spacious rooms, and an included breakfast.

All in all, Pisa is more than just its Leaning Tower. The Italian city offers much more and promises to be an excellent vacation spot for tourists worldwide.