Things To Do In Pisa

Pisa’s number one attraction is known the world over: the Leaning Tower of Pisa. While the bell tower is an impressive, stunningly beautiful and quirky attraction, Pisa’s other treasures should not be overlooked. By and large, people come to the city to explore its architectural offerings, of which there are many, and while the Piazza del Duomo is home to the city’s most famous structures, the city offers dozens of other worthy attractions, with the Botanical Gardens and Camposanto being just two of the more notable.

Baptistery (Battistero)

As the largest baptistery in Italy, this circular construction dates back to the mid-12th century. Designed by Deotisalvi, the Baptistery has an impressive circumference of 348 feet. While the lower drum was built in the Romanesque style, the upper part, which was added more than 100 years later, was constructed in the Gothic style. Highlights in the interior include the huge dome, a pulpit designed by Nicola Pisano in 1260 and a carved font. The acoustics within are excellent, making it a must to catch a performance by one of the early morning choirs that often sing here. There is a small entry charge and opening hours are from 09:00 to 17:40, with some seasonal variations.

Piazza dei Cavalieri

This is one of Pisa’s most important piazzas, designed by Giorgio Vasari in 1560. The open space is designed in a curve, leading to the church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri. Adjoining the square is Palazzo dell'Orologio and Borgo Stretto, a glitzy shopping street. The piazza is historically significant as the former seat of the Order of the Knights of St Stephen (Ordine dei Cavalieri di Santo Stefano), a group of military and religious defenders that organised themselves to protect the city from the threat of the Turks.

Botanical Gardens (Orto Botanico di Pisa)

This attraction is conveniently located within minutes walk of the Leaning Tower. Founded in the 1540s, the gardens claim to be the oldest botanical gardens in Europe. Visitors can enjoy plant species from around the world and soak up the relaxing atmosphere. The gardens are now part of Pisa University and can be seen on a guided tour or independently. During the summer months there are on-site theatrical performances. Opening hours are from Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:30; Saturday 08:00 to 13:00. The gardens are closed on Sundays and admission is free.

Camposanto

Also known as the Cemetery and the Holy Field, this huge, walled graveyard is situated just north of the Duomo. Constructed in order to house holy soil that was brought here in 1278 from the spot where Christ was crucified, the cemetery is serene and wonderfully atmospheric. The building contains some impressive 14th century frescoes and a 2nd century BC Greek vase, while many of the other original artistic treasures were destroyed when the building was damaged through WWII bombings. The grounds are open daily from 09:00 to 16:40, with some seasonal variations. There is an admission charge.

Leaning Tower (Torre Pendente)

The undisputed primary attraction in Pisa, the world-famous tower is the sole reason many visitors make the journey to this compact city. Situated in Piazza del Duomo, the tower is the bell tower of Pisa Cathedral (Duomo di Pisa). Over the years, the tower has subsided to create the ‘lean’ that it is known for, caused by sand foundations on one side of the tower. Engineers have engaged in ways to reverse the ‘lean’ over the past 800 years, but without much success. The leaning nature of the tower was apparent as early as 1173, when the construction of the tower had only reached the third level. With no adequate solution to be found to stop the leaning of the tower, building stopped for the next 100 years until three further uneven storeys were added in 1275. Later attempts to correct the lean proved disastrous, with the tower becoming unstable by 1990. Currently, there are extensive measures in place to stabilise and support the tower and it was recently reopened to the public.

Pisa Cathedral (Duomo di Pisa)

Located adjacent to the Leaning Tower in Piazza del Duomo, Pisa Cathedral should not be missed by any visitor to the city. Dating back nearly 1,000 years, the Romanesque cathedral is an architectural masterpiece, constructed out of coloured marble. The interior is simple, yet furnished with many works by Renaissance artists, dating from the 16th century, including: the pulpit, designed by Giovanni Pisano; the tomb of Emperor Henry VII by Tino da Camaino, who died in 1315; 400-year-old bronze angels that preside over the choir enterance; the dome, decorated with frescoes; and a 13th century mosaic by Cimabue. The cathedral is open daily from 08:00 to 20:00 and there is an admission charge.

Museums

Pisa has five significant museums that are worth a visit for their impressive art works and relics from the Renaissance period and earlier. The National Museum of St Matthew (Museo Nazionale di San Matteo) is housed in an ancient convent and contains numerous paintings and sculptures dating from the 12th to 18th century. The museum is open daily from 09:00 to 19:00 and an entry fee applies. The Lungarno Simonelli Museum (Le Navi Antiche di Pisa) houses Roman artefacts dating back to the 1st century AD and is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 18:00. Meanwhile, the Cathedral Works Museum (Museo dell'Opera del Duomo) and the Museo delle Sinopie display sculptures and paintings related to the Duomo as well as sketches that formed the basis of frescoes.