Asked for a top 10 tourist attractions in Pisa, the average tourist would probably get no further than a Top 1. Yet the city has much more to offer than the famous Leaning Tower.
Top 10 tourist attractions Pisa
01.Leaning Tower
One of the most famous buildings in the world and one of the most evocative. It belongs to the Cathedral of Pisa and, in fact, something was wrong with it from the moment it was built. Currently, the Torre Pendente tilts about five meters.
02. Campo dei Miracoli
The Campo dei Miracoli (“Field of Miracles”) is Pisa’s most visited square. Of course, it may have something to do with the fact that the Leaning Tower stands there, but beyond this popular attraction, there are other attractions, including the city’s Cathedral.
03. Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral
Pisa Cathedral, like the city’s most important attractions, is located in Piazza dei Miracoli. Its official name is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. The Duomo was built in the 11th century. The huge structure was meant to indicate how powerful the then Maritime Republic of Pisa was.
04. Camposanto
Or the “Sacred Field.” Whether it is more sacred than other cemeteries because only rich people were buried there is questionable, of course it has become more beautiful. The Campo Santo has existed since 1278. One of the highlights in this cemetery is the fresco cycle with the theme “Triumph of Death.” There are also a number of beautiful chapels.
05. Museo Nazionale di San Matteo
Located in the old monastery of San Matteo, the San Matteo Museum deals with medieval painting and sculpture. Much of the artwork on display comes from local churches.
06. Piazza dei Cavalieri
Piazza dei Cavalieri is the central square of Pisa, with a number of magnificent 16th century buildings. When Vasari was commissioned to redesign it, he did so, among other things, by merging a number of already existing buildings.
07. Palazzo dell’Orologio
Two towers connected by an arcade make up the “Palace of the Clock.”
08. Battistero
The Baptistery is a round building with an octagonal dome in Piazza del Duomo. At 55 meters, the building is the highest Baptistery in Italy. It is especially famous for the decorations added by the Pisani family.
09. Santa Maria della Spina Church
The Santa Maria della Spina Church is a small but extremely picturesque church, close to the river. Both the exterior and the interior are decorated by Gothic statues by (mostly) the famous Pisani brothers. Its name comes from an actual thorn of Christ that used to be kept there.
10. Botanical Gardens.
The Botanical Gardens of Pisa were created as early as the 16th century and are among the oldest in the world. The Giardini Botanici were commissioned by the Medici family. There is also a Botanical Museum on the grounds of this attraction.