The Piazza del Duomo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which also includes the basilica, cemetery, and famous Leaning Tower. It’s also known as the Piazza dei Miracoli (Miracles). It is one of the most touristy places in Italy. There are not only lots of visitors but also lines of vendors selling junky souvenirs. Despite that, it’s a wonderful place to visit, and if you happen to visit in the winter or in the evening, you may have it practically to yourself. I was there twice, the first time on a sunny day in January 1995 (am I really that old already?!) and the second time on a cloudy, cold day in January 1996. The second time there was practically no one there except us.
The cemetery
The buildings are made of marble and are mostly Romanesque in style, from the 12-14th centuries. Some of the highlights are the huge mosaic in the apse of the Duomo, the climb to the top of the Leaning Tower, and the cemetery, whose walls are decorated with early Renaissance frescoes which were badly damaged in World War II. The Bapistery is the largest in Italy. The outside is decorated with round Romanesque arches on the bottom and ornate, pointy Gothic arches on the top half. The inside is plain. It has amazing acoustics which you can test as you explore the different levels.
The Bapistery
The upper level of the Bapistery
The interior of the Bapistery
It’s pretty common for people to make a quick stop in Pisa to see the Leaning Tower with the assumption that there isn’t much else to see in Pisa besides the tower. I’ve never been interested in the Leaning Tower like some people are, but to each his own. However, I’d like people to know that there is much more to Pisa than the tower. The other buildings in the Piazza del Duomo are stunning. Pisa is a small city on the Arno River, which, like any other city in Italy, has some beautiful old churches and nice museums. Pisa is also home to the oldest university botanical gardens in the world! You can find out lots more about Pisa on the lovely blog At Home in Tuscany.
The beautiful facade of the Duomo
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