Where is the city of Pisa in Italy. Open left piz menu. Piazza dei Cavalieri

Although many believe that Pisa- a city of one attraction, Italy can be proud of the Pisans and the unique, distinctive culture that they managed to create.

Pisa: City of the Leaning Tower

Even those who have difficulty guessing the existence of the city of Pisa will answer the question without hesitation, what made the Leaning Tower of Pisa famous. The most famous bell tower in Europe has been inexorably leaning towards the ground for nine long centuries under the influence of subsidence and the armor-piercing gaze of tourists. At first glance it seems that if not for the popularity Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pisa itself would be lost in the list of other unremarkable Tuscan towns. Let's check if this is true!

What to see in Pisa besides the tower?

It is a shame that the world knows Pisa solely by its unofficial symbol. In fact, this is an interesting ancient city, fraught with many secrets and mysteries, as the photos with the name and description of the sights of Pisa will convince you of.

Sights of Pisa

Remember how Alice the fox and Basilio the cat invited Pinocchio to the Field of Miracles? I don’t know about the field, but there is the Square of Miracles (Piazza dei Miracoli) in Pisa. It is here that the Leaning Tower of Pisa is located, which does not stand on its own, but is included in the complex of the Pisa Cathedral as a bell tower. And the square is truly a miracle of miracles: wherever you look, it’s a masterpiece of architecture! Ancient Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary(Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta) was built in the medieval Romanesque style and amazes with its grandeur. When you get inside, it simply takes your breath away from the feeling of the infinity of the revealed space that arises thanks to the arched composition and the alternation of white and black marble.
Did you know? Under the dome of the cathedral there is a chandelier, which local guides stubbornly call “Galileo’s lamp” (Lampada di Galileo). Of course, the great Galileo did not make this lamp and did not even write by its light, but, as they say, looking at its swinging, he developed the theory of pendulum oscillations. We cannot prove this, and therefore we will not refute it!
This is also where Baptistery of St. John(Battistero di San Giovanni) - according to art historians, the largest baptistery in Italy (its height is almost 55 meters). The zest of the structure is given by the obvious mixture of stylistic eras: they began to build the baptistery in Romanesque, and finished it in Gothic, so it stands on a base of rounded, restrained Romanesque arches, and the second and third tier stretch with all their might towards the sky with pointed carved teeth.
In the north of the square there is Campo Santo cemetery, or "Holy Field"(Campo Santo), in the center of which, according to legend, there is a capsule with earth brought from Golgotha itself during the Crusades.
Not far from the Square of Miracles on the picturesque embankment of the Arno River there is Agostini Palace(Palazzo Agostini), famous not only for its magnificent façade, decorated with intricate reliefs made of baked clay, but also for the café “Caffé dellUssero” located within its walls, where scientists and cultural figures have been gathering for 300 years. In the same building is the oldest Italian cinema, Cinema Lumiére, where sound films have been screened since 1906.
Even more palaces on Knights Square(Piazza dei Cavalieri), which is no less interesting than the neighboring Square of Miracles, but much less flooded with annoying tourists. Here are the Palace of the Clocks (Palazzo dell’ Orologio) with a belfry on the roof, the Palace of the Order of St. Stephen (Palazzo della Carovana) and two small ancient churches.
Palaces are palaces, but you want to taste Pisan life as it is! When you go wandering around the city, be sure to check out Borgo Stretto quarter. There are no cars here at all: the narrow streets allow you to move around on foot, or at most by bicycle. But there are more than enough cafes and restaurants, so sit at tables right in the open air and enjoy the aromatic and refined Tuscan cuisine to the fullest. Pisa serves spicier food than throughout Tuscany. Here you must try the San Michele white bean soup (minestra di fagioli bianchi di San Michele), frog soup (zuppa di ranocchi) and Pisa soup (zuppa pisana). For dessert, ask for Torta co’ bischeri - this is the most popular delicacy in Pisa, but it is prepared according to a special, centuries-old recipe and exclusively during the holidays of the Ascension, St. Michael the Archangel and during the spring fair.

Temples of Pisa

There are a huge number of ancient temples in Pisa, each of them has its own special flavor.

Museums of Pisa

No matter how much of a fan of walking excursions you are, sooner or later you will still want to take a breather in some cool place. The ideal solution to this problem is Pisa museums for every taste and color: here you can take a break from the frantic tourist race and learn a lot of interesting things.

What to see in 1 day in Pisa?

Pisa is a small city, its population does not even reach 100 thousand, so with a strong desire and proper organization of time, you can get acquainted with the main attractions of Pisa on your own in one day.

Start your walking tour with Victor Emmanuel II Square(Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II) - this is especially convenient for those tourists who arrive in Pisa by train, because the square is located across the road from the train station. Stroll the streets of Pisa, go to the Arno embankment and move along it, admiring the beautiful architecture of cathedrals and palaces.
Of course, include it in your must-see list Square of Miracles, Cathedral, Baptistery and, if you are not afraid, be sure to climb Leaning Tower of Pisa- this is exactly what most travelers frantically strive for in Pisa.
To be in Italy and not experience the art of sweet-voiced bel canto performers? Well, I do not! Be sure to visit in the evening Verdi Theater(Teatro Verdi di Pisa) is one of the most beautiful opera houses in Italy: the creators of the theater generously decorated it with mosaics, columns and paintings. The theater's repertoire includes sold-out classical and modern opera performances, and the auditorium is filled not only with avid music lovers, but also with tourists most interested in Italian culture.

Where to go in Pisa with children

If you are traveling with children and are afraid that by the end of the day they will howl with boredom, trailing behind you from Romanesque temple to Gothic temple, think in advance about how you can brighten up such an unenviable fate for your children.

At the Sunlight Park amusement park Both children and adults will like it. There is a full-fledged water park, an area for children, and cozy cafes.
In the entertainment center Labirinto di mais di San Rossore you will be invited to walk through a real corn field, and not just a simple one, but with a puzzling maze in the center.
If the little brats don't run out of steam in the maze, take them to park Il Pineto Parco Avventura: let them have fun on the bungee and walk along the suspension bridges among the treetops - isn’t this what we all dreamed of in childhood?

Amusement Park Sunlight Park

The city of Pisa and its main attractions on video

Of course, the Leaning Tower of Pisa will not give up its primacy in the tourism market for a long time, but it’s worth thinking about: aren’t we losing too much by focusing on popular attractions? Enjoy watching!

Travel, like life, becomes much more multifaceted if you are not afraid to look for something new, unfamiliar, unexplored, and believe me, this is exactly what awaits you in Pisa!

The main attraction of Pisa, the leaning Leaning Tower of Pisa, is perhaps known to every tourist. But can you name any other interesting places in Pisa besides the Field of Miracles? Let's try to answer this question by walking around the city. After all, we must admit that the city makes an ambiguous impression on tourists: “Pisa is a dull city, in which there is absolutely nothing to see except the tower,” is the most common review of Pisa on the Internet. Before the trip, I was inspired by the idea of debunking this stereotype. I’ll tell you now what came out of these good intentions.

Forward. A couple of steps from the station we were met by Victor Emmanuel II. The popular blogger Varlamov is constantly indignant that in every Russian city there is an unchanged Ilyich, and also of dubious artistic quality. I don't like it too much either. But the Italians do not seem to be bothered by this situation at all, although here one can also make some complaints about the type of monument and its huge number throughout the country. In addition to its first king, every city has an indispensable Garibaldi and Dante. But it’s okay, they stand and don’t outrage anyone.

In the same square I was able to note the first church, Chiesa di Sant'Antonio (14th century).

Right there on Piazza Vittorio Emmanuel, or rather right on one of the walls of the church, there is another landmark of Pisa - the Tuttomondo graffiti by artist Keith Haring. Wikipedia says that this is the largest area of graffiti in Europe (180 sq. m), I only photographed a fragment of the mural. The artist did not immediately manage to obtain permission to use the church wall for his work, because... the rector was embarrassed that Haring was gay. But in the end, the go-ahead was received and the artist created this within a week. In quiet Pisa, of course, this was an event, and all the residents began to pester Haring about what he would call this beauty, which he would leave as a souvenir for the Pisans. The artist had never given names to his works before, because... believed that the age of graffiti was short and therefore did not deserve a name. But the residents were persistent, so Haring said: “Well, okay, if that’s what you want, then let it be Tuttomondo.”

The graffiti depicts thirty human figures, each of them symbolic. For example, in my shot there was a man with a TV instead of a head and a woman with a child, this seems to be a contrast between naturalness and technology. Such depths are hidden here! The whole picture as a whole depicts peace and harmony. What’s typical is that an article on the Italian wiki (from where I’m copying all this now) about graffiti takes up two screens, while about the church itself they managed... in three lines. Literally a year after this work, Haring died of AIDS, so this is one of his last works. For me, all this is some kind of nonsense, sorry.

The long pedestrian Corso Italia leads to the city center from the station. Quite a pleasant street.

Monument to the sculptor Niccolo Pisano, considered the founder of Italian sculpture. I have already shown the department of his work in. The monument is erected in front of the church of Santa Maria del Carmine (14th century, façade 19th century), which was once decorated with a huge polyptych by Masaccio. It was such a masterpiece of work that over time it was taken away on canvases to museums around the world, so that now there is nothing left in del Carmine.

Here we have almost reached the Arno embankment, the tower of the Palazzo Pretorio is already visible.

Impressive columns of the Logge di Banchi. This gallery has nothing to do with the bank; “banks” are trays in Italian, i.e. there was a regular market here.

We cross the Mezzo bridge over the Arno, the same river flows into.

Just behind the bridge is Piazza Garibaldi, ha ha, of course, with the Garibaldi monument. I told you that there will definitely be a monument to him, such an Italian standard. Behind it stands the playful Casino dei nobili building. The casino was founded by local nobility in the mid-18th century. Entrance to it was available only to persons of noble origin. Foreign tourists were allowed in only under the guarantee of one of the noble members of the Pisa high society. All this did not save the reputation of the establishment; there were constantly some kind of showdowns with fights and other violations of public order. A hundred years later, the Casino with such a bad reputation was decided to close down.

The deep orange building to the right of the Noble Casino is also a landmark. It contains a large bas-relief of the Madonna dei Vetturini by Nino Pisano. The Pisans looked to this Madonna for protection from the arbitrariness of local bureaucrats, since the administrative buildings were a few steps away from her.

I turned back to look at Palazza Pretorio.

Chiesa di San Michele in Borgo with a wonderful 14th century façade. These three rows of columns are very typical of Pisan Gothic (thanks to Yu for the correction) Romanesque architecture.

If you deviate a little from the main tourist streets of this part of Pisa, you will find yourself in small picturesque squares, a typical example is Piazza delle Vettovaglie. The square originated in the Middle Ages, but its modern appearance with Renaissance arcades dates back to the reign of the Medici.

A unique piece, the capitals of the columns of the former SS church. Felice e Regolo from ancient times.

The building of the former church itself, despite its Gothic appearance, is a 19th-century alteration, but the columns remain original, from the 3rd century. But overall, this is an interesting area, with winding streets and cozy squares. Perhaps, the medieval spirit of Pisa is best felt here.

So, we are getting closer and closer to the main attraction of Pisa, a couple of steps away from it is, perhaps, the second most beautiful square in the city - Knight's Square (Piazza dei Cavalieri). The omnipresent Giorgio Vasari had a hand in the exterior of the square. Cosimo I asked him to put the square in order. When the architect saw the square, he said something like this: “confusione e disordine.” And he began to bring this confusion and chaos into order and harmony. Somehow I didn’t photograph the entire Piazza dei Cavalieri, only in pieces, so it will be difficult for you to assess whether Vasari succeeded or not.

Palazzo dell'orologio. There were two medieval towers here, which Vasari shortened and tied together to create the Palace of the Clock.

Church of the Order of the Knights of St. Stefan. According to the creators, the order was supposed to fight the Turks in the Mediterranean Sea.

The church houses many trophies captured during naval clashes with Saracen pirates. The paintings and sculptures of the church largely illustrate the history and various episodes from the life of the military order. The main altar of the early 18th century is decorated with a statue of Pope St. Stephen and allegorical figures of Religion and Faith.

Palazzo della Carovana (1562-64). The palace was also occupied by knights of the Order of St. Stefan.

At the entrance there is a monument to Cosimo I de' Medici, who was the first master of this order.

Pay attention not to the venerable lady on the bike, but to the sign with the symbol of the Wi-Fi network; in Pisa it is funny called Wi-Pi, and the i is stylized as the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

We reached our hotel, Booking did not deceive us, indeed, the view of the tower from the hotel was available.

And, finally, we got to Duomo Square.

Old Pisa is still able to inspire awe, because the square on the outskirts of the city is still intact, where the cathedral, the Baptistery, the leaning tower and the Campo Santo, created by her genius, stand. There is no other square like this in Italy, and even the Venetian Piazza does not make a first impression as strong, complete and pure. In the whole world it is now difficult to find a place where the charm of marble could be felt as much as here. In Florence there is little marble on the streets, and the eye, accustomed to the severity and modesty of the Florentine pietra serena, is positively dazzled by the light marble buildings rising on the green grass of Pisa Square. The alternation of black and white stripes, characteristic of all Tuscan architecture, has been happily smoothed out by time. You can easily forget about it in front of the noble old marble of the Baptistery, subtly yellowing from antiquity and from the autumn rains. Here you can forget for a while even about the very architecture of all these buildings, remembering only the sacred whiteness of their walls and the fresh greenery of the meadow surrounding them.

Pisa Square seems to have been created miraculously and suddenly in one night - so incomprehensible to us now is the long surge of artistic strength, great pride and highest energy that the Pisans once experienced. No historical information can so vividly depict the heyday of Pisa, the time of its military glory and maritime power, as these monuments of its architecture of the 12th century. Three centuries before Brunelleschi, local architects already foresaw the revival of classical forms and the possibility of a new organic architecture on Italian soil. The history of art correctly assessed their work, calling it “proto-Renaissance.”

You can’t say anything better than “our everything,” so I’ll keep silent so that you can enjoy one of the most wonderful squares in Europe with the help of my photographs, unsurpassed in skill and beauty.

Did you watch it and enjoy it? I must admit, no. At that moment, a kind of apathy just fell on me. I've clearly had a rest over the past few days in Italy. The comrade generally broke down back in , so about the tower he said that it turned out to be very small and did not impress him even once. In addition, a formal circus took place on the square. Crowds of tourists made faces in different poses to capture themselves against the backdrop of the tower. This also somehow does not contribute to thoughtful contemplation. There is a good selection of similar photos here, be careful, shock content, 18+
http://italy4.me/toscana/piza/foto-s-pizanskoj-bashnej.html

I confess, I also took a stupid photo with the Leaning Tower of Pisa. To which he received an angry rebuke from a respectable gentleman standing next to him with a dog. From his tirade I only understood two words: "Japanese imbechille." Apparently, he reproached me for being so decent-looking, but behaving like weak-minded tourists from Asia.

I thought that since the cultural program didn’t work out, I wouldn’t torture myself and my friend with “The Triumph of Death” and other local masterpieces. I decided to give up on my plans to review “good Pisa” and just walk to the embankment and back.

Menu Turistico, this is what Pisa is all about.

What is it about this street that it deserves a place in your story, Koshak? - an inquisitive reader will ask.
- Yes, I don’t remember, don’t pester me, please, most likely I saw a girl with beautiful legs.

Now I’m looking through the photos, and it seems to me that I was unfair to Pisa

We walked along Via Santa Maria past Galileo's house, however, although the scientist is from Pisa, the house has nothing to do with him. It was one of the first scientific centers in Italy with its own observatory, named after the famous countryman.

But on the embankment Pisa dealt me another blow. One of the most beautiful and romantic Gothic churches in Europe stood in the woods.

I mean the church of Santa Maria della Spina. Spina means thorns, if not for the stupid forests, then I think it would be clear, looking at the facade, where the name came from. When I saw it for the first time, I was sincerely amazed that the building was located right in the middle of the road on the embankment. It seems that she was artificially transferred here from another place. And after reading it later, I found out that it turned out to be so! The church stood below almost in the water. In the 19th century it was moved higher up the embankment to save it from rising water levels in the Arno.

Former Benedictine monastery.

On the embankment stands another typically Pisan Romanesque, Chiesa di San Paolo a Ripa d’Arno. It is considered one of the most beautiful examples of this style. What’s good is that there are no buildings nearby, so you can carefully examine and photograph everything.

I was in Genoa at the place where they set up a concentration camp for captured Pisans (allegedly more than 10 thousand people), an eerie place. It is characteristic that it has been preserved in Genoa to this day and is called Campo Pisano. However, having lost its military power, Pisa did not lose its commercial importance. But here nature opposed the city. The Arno River began to become shallow, ships could no longer enter Pisa, and malaria began to spread on the swampy banks. In 1406, Pisa was captured by Florence. True, the city has never been taken by storm in its history; the Florentines acted with the help of bribery.

Perhaps it is thanks to this sad story that Pisa brings such melancholy to tourists?

The city walls are well preserved.

After making a short circle, we returned to the Duomo. By this point, although it was still nine o'clock, the Square of Miracles was practically empty. I thought of having dinner with a view of this beauty, but it didn’t work out with the cafes either; renovations were going on around the perimeter of the square, and they were all closed.

The next morning, I was faced with a difficult choice: having accompanied my friend to the airport, spending at least a couple of hours and still exploring Pisa a little more thoroughly, or giving up and following my original plan, leaving for Lucca. Under the influence of yesterday's despondency, I decided not to risk it and go straight to Lucca. Moreover, I also had very little time for it. As it turned out, it was a very right decision, I got a second wind in Lucca, and I was delighted with the city, but that’s a story for the next story. So I'm partly grateful to Pisa for giving me such a break; I was extremely productive for the next three days in Tuscany.

It's time to take stock of Pisa. What is she, good or bad? Is it true that this is a dreary and dead city? I had a clear answer right after the trip (well, you get the idea), but now I'm evasive. Still, the purity of the experiment was not observed. And if there are doubts, we will interpret them in favor of the city. But even if the answer is “yes”. Now, you say “dreary” as if there is something bad in that? This current age dictates to us that the city must be, I quote, “stylish, elegant, comfortable, energetic and very positive.” Positive, Mario! A hundred years ago, values were completely different. So you can look at Pisa from the other side: “This is a most melancholic place. Moonlight evenings in Pisa in autumn are amazing. Where can you find such emptiness and sadness?”

The small Italian city of Pisa became famous throughout the world for its leaning tower. Almost all organized tours in Italy include a visit to this unusual landmark, which has been in danger of completely falling for centuries and is only standing thanks to constant work to strengthen it. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is located in Piazza dei Miracoli (“Place of Miracles”). There are several more architectural masterpieces here. The ensemble of the square is included in the UNESCO list.

There are other equally interesting and picturesque places in Pisa. A popular city quarter is Borgo Stretto, which is an example of medieval buildings typical of Western Europe in the 13th-14th centuries. A must-visit in Pisa should be its wonderful museums, where you can admire the works of sculptors and artists who worked during the Middle Ages and Modern times.

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What to see and where to go in Pisa?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walks. Photos and brief description.

The most famous landmark of Pisa, known throughout the world thanks to a mistake made during construction. The building is part of the architectural complex of the Pisa Cathedral and is its bell tower. The tower was erected during the XII-XIV centuries according to the design of B. Pisano. Almost immediately, the building began to deviate from the vertical axis, which is why work was constantly suspended. The defect could not be corrected, but the inexorable fall of the tower was stopped by fixing the tilt at 3.54°.

Cathedral of Pisa, located in Piazza del Duomo. The architectural complex includes the cathedral building itself, the bell tower (the famous leaning tower) and the baptistery. The ensemble was erected between the 11th and 13th centuries. in the “Pisan” Romanesque style, which combined elements of Lombard, Byzantine and Islamic construction styles. White and black marble were used in large quantities in the decoration of the facade and interior.

A magnificent Gothic building from the 12th to 14th centuries, designed by the architect Diotisalvi. The Baptistery is considered the largest in Italy. The building reaches a height of 55 meters, the diameter of the ring of walls is 34 meters. According to the original project, the building was planned to be built in the Romanesque style, but the duration of construction work of almost 200 years made it possible to add more elegant features of the Gothic style to the appearance.

Necropolis of the 13th century, located in the northern part of Piazza dei Miracoli. It was assumed that a church was to be built on the site of the cemetery, but during the work the project was changed. Campo Santo is a rather unusual place, since the burials are located in a stone wall under the arches of an arched gallery that surrounds the courtyard. There are three chapels on the cemetery grounds. Until the 18th century, representatives of the upper classes of Pisa were buried in this necropolis.

Historical urban area located in the center of Pisa. From an architectural point of view, it is a classic “stone bag” with narrow streets, houses characterized by blank medieval walls, and small picturesque squares. Nowadays, the territory of Borgo Stretto is home to numerous street restaurants with excellent Italian cuisine, souvenir shops, coffee shops and stalls with various delicacies.

For many centuries, the square was an important public place where government decrees were announced, victories were celebrated and the political situation was discussed. The piazza was built during the Early Middle Ages on the site of a former Roman forum. It is surrounded by palazzos and administrative buildings, built mainly in the 16th-17th centuries. In 1406, the independence of Pisa was announced in the Square of the Knights.

A 16th-century building that previously served as the home of knights belonging to the Tuscan Order of St. Stephen. The building was erected according to the design of the architect D. Vasari. Today, a higher education institution is located on the territory of the palace. Visiting the palazzo is only possible during the absence of lectures. The façade of the building is painted using the sgraffito technique; it depicts zodiac signs and symbolic figures surrounded by floral patterns.

The museum displays fragments of frescoes (more precisely, sketches for frescoes) that previously decorated the walls of Campo Santo. After World War II, during restoration work, these images were discovered under the top layers of plaster. In addition to the blanks for the frescoes, in the museum you can see a model of the Campo Santo cemetery from previous eras and an installation dedicated to the problem of strengthening the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The museum's collection consists of works of art that previously decorated the walls of the Pisa Cathedral and the Baptistery of St. John. The exhibition is located in a 12th-century building that was previously used as a seminary and academy of fine arts. The museum houses valuable sculptures created by T. Di Camaino and D. Pisano in the 13th century, bronze doors made in the 12th century, as well as frescoes, paintings, clothing and other exhibits belonging to the 17th-18th centuries.

The exhibition is located in the monastery of the same name. It is dedicated to the cultural history of the Middle Ages and contains priceless works of art created by Tuscan masters in the 12th-17th centuries. Works by D. Pisano, B. Berlinghieri, B. Buffalmacco, S. Aretino and other sculptors are exhibited in San Matteo. The famous work of Donatello, the bust of San Lussorio, is also kept here. In the museum you can look at medieval manuscripts dating from the 12th to 14th centuries.

Palazzo Blue is an art museum located in a historic 14th-century mansion, which previously changed hands frequently and belonged to different families. Until 2001, representatives of the noble Julie family lived in the building, then it was transferred to the management of cultural authorities. After reconstruction, an exhibition consisting of works by D. Battista, J.-B. was placed in the palazzo. Desmarais, D. Bezzuoli, F. Bellonzi and other artists.

A 19th-century temple built in a Gothic style on the site of an old 13th-century church. The church façade is distinguished by its rich decor and abundance of elegant details. The interior space looks quite modest compared to the exterior decoration. The most important relic of Santa Maria della Spina is the tabernacle, in which, according to Christian belief, the thorn from Jesus' crown of thorns was once kept in the 14th century.

13. Church of Sao Paulo Ripa d'Arno

A temple of Romanesque architecture, the first mention of which dates back to the 10th century. Previously, it played a fairly important role in the religious life of Pisa, so the unofficial name “Duomo Vecchio” was assigned to the church, which means “old cathedral”. Inside the temple there are several ancient relics: a Roman sarcophagus of the 2nd century, a crucifix created in the 13th century, as well as frescoes of the 13th-14th centuries, painted by B. Buffalmaco.

Temple of the 9th (10th) century, erected on the site of an early Christian chapel. Even earlier, Roman residential areas were located here. At this very place in 44, the Apostle Peter celebrated his first Mass. The church is located in the town of San Pietro a Grado, which belongs to the Pisa commune. The painting on the interior walls of the basilica dates back to the 14th century and later periods. The temple is a valuable monument of Romanesque architecture.

A 13th-century structure erected on the embankment of the Arno River. Previously, the citadel with the adjacent tower was part of the city's defensive fortifications. At the beginning of the 15th century, the military garrison of Pisa was located here. For many centuries the citadel served a defensive function. During World War II, the building was heavily damaged by bombing. In 1956 it was restored, trying to give it its original appearance.

A small central bridge over the Arno River, located near Santa Maria della Spina. All tourists who travel from Pisa Central Station to Piazza del Duomo, where the Leaning Tower of Pisa is located, pass through it. The bridge offers magnificent views of the river, embankments and ancient houses. The building itself is made in a rather modest manner without any architectural frills.

The water artery of Tuscany, which originates in the Apennines and flows into the Ligurian Sea. The river flows through Florence and Pisa. The length of the Arno is 248 km. It flows through picturesque plains, hills, vineyards, cypress groves and fields that make up the pastoral landscapes of this part of Italy. Periodically, the river overflows its banks as a result of floods. The largest natural disaster was recorded in 1966.

The garden was founded in the 16th century by the botanist L. Ghini at the expense of the Tuscan ruler, Duke Cosimo I. It is considered one of the oldest botanical gardens not only in Italy, but throughout the world. In 1595, a building was erected here to house an institute for plant research. The garden's plant diversity includes about 550 species collected from different parts of Europe and the world. The Arboretum is managed by the University of Pisa.

The garden is located on the southern bank of the Arno on the territory of the Citadel Nuova fortress, which was founded in the 15th century. The landscape park was laid out in the 19th century according to the design of D. Kaluri. The Scotto Garden hosts a variety of public events such as concerts, theater productions, museum exhibitions and film screenings. The park is planted with picturesque Mediterranean vegetation. It is an ideal place for relaxing walks.

Regional park of the province of Tuscany, created in 1979. There are several ecosystems located on the territory of the reserve: swamps, sand dunes, a lake, and a coastal zone. The park is home to a wide variety of birds. Within the reserve are the towns of Torre del Lago and Massaciuccoli (composer D. Puccini lived here for a long time). The administration is located in a 19th-century villa, which is also a local landmark.

Having flown to hospitable Italy to get acquainted with its historical past, do not forget about such a curious place as Pisa. The city has preserved centuries-old churches, monuments and unique buildings.

Pisa is located in the Italian region of Tuscany. The Ligurian Sea is 10 km from here, and the Arno River flows through the city itself. About 100 thousand people live in a Mediterranean climate.

The city is small, so you can get around the sights in 1-2 days. However, if you are not in a hurry, you can spend more time in Pisa enjoying Italian cuisine, wine and romance.

The Cathedral of Pisa (Duomo di Pisa) was built in the 11th - 12th centuries and occupies an important place among the city's monuments.

In the 16th century, the cathedral was engulfed in a terrible fire; many significant valuables were burned in the fire. After several reconstructions, the appearance of the building was changed, but the building still amazes tourists with its architecture.

Address: Piazza del Duomo.
Schedule:

in October 10:00 – 19:00;
in November and February 10:00 – 17:00;
from December 25 to January 7 9:00 – 18:00;
from 1 to 13 March 9:00 – 18:00;
from March 21 to September: 10:00 – 20:00.

Ticket price: for free.

The main miracle of the Square is the bell tower of the Cathedral, built in the 12th-14th centuries. Its role is played by the most recognizable landmark, which has become a symbol of the city and all of Italy - the Leaning Tower of Pisa (Italian: Torre pendente di Pisa) with a height of 56.7 meters.

The main feature is the tilt of the structure, which is associated with an error during construction. To date, the top of the tower has deviated from the center by 5 meters and it still continues to slowly fall.

Address: Piazza del Duomo.
Schedule: daily, 8:30 – 20:30, summer: 8:30 – 23:00.
Ticket price: 18 euros.

Another eye-catching building on the same Square of Miracles is the Baptistery of St. John (Battistero di San Giovanni), which is the largest in the world.

The room contains a large font, icons and frescoes. The famous physicist Galileo Galilei was baptized here in the 16th century.

Address: Piazza del Duomo.
Schedule: daily 8:00 – 20:00.
Ticket price: adult – 6 euros, children – 3 euros.

Behind the Pisa Cathedral is the unusual Camposanto Monumentale, where burial places of prominent people of the Middle Ages.

The memorial building of the 13th century is decorated with numerous arches and the image of the Virgin Mary with a baby in her arms.

Camposanto translates as “sacred field”, and all because the territory is spread out around a capsule with soil brought from the sacred Mount Golgotha.

Address: Piazza del Duomo.
Schedule:

April – September: daily 8:00 – 20:00;
October – March: daily 9:00 – 18:00.

Ticket price: 5 euros.

The listed buildings represent a single architectural ensemble in an open space.

Next to the Square of Miracles there is another one - Piazza dei Cavalieri, translated as Square of the Knights.

In the Middle Ages, decrees were announced in this place, independence was proclaimed, and victories were celebrated. Here is a monument to the famous Duke of Tuscan Cosimo I de' Medici, who founded the Order of St. Stephen.

Karovano Palace (Palazzo della Karovano) is the place where the knights of the Order who fought in the wars with the Saracens were trained.

Now the premises of the 17th century Palace are occupied by the École Normale Supérieure University.

The facade is interesting for its drawings symbolizing the signs of the zodiac and the gable staircase. Inside, visitors will see frescoes, stucco moldings, and unique paintings from ancient times.

Address: Piazza dei Cavalieri.
It is possible to look at the interior of the palace when there are no lectures.
Ticket price: for free.

The Clock Palace (Palazzo del Orologio) or, as it is also called, the Clock Tower originally consisted of two separate buildings. Later, an arch was erected between them and now the Palace resembles a half-opened book.

The building is notable for the fact that in its tower Count Gherardesca and his family were starved to death for treason.

Address: Piazza dei Cavalieri.

Not far from the Palace is the Church of St. Stephen (Chiesa di Santo). The 16th-century building in the Romanesque-Gothic style houses within its walls trophies received by knights during wars: ship lanterns, banners.

Here you can see ancient sculptures and paintings. The marble altar is decorated with a statue of Pope St. Stephen and gilded figures of Religion and Faith.

Address: Piazza dei Cavalieri.
Schedule: daily.
Ticket price: for free.

Walking along the Arno River, tourists notice the beautiful church of Santa Maria della Spina
(Santa Maria della Spina).

The religious structure appeared in the 13th century. It attracts with its appearance with Gothic elements. Art exhibitions are often organized inside.

Address: Lungarno Gambacorti.
Schedule: daily.
Ticket price: for free.

Basilica of San Piero a Grado (Basilica romanica di San Piero a Grado) is located in the suburbs of Pisa. It is one of the oldest Italian temples.

It was to this place, according to legend, that Saint Peter descended and held his first liturgical service.

Address: Via Vecchia Marina 5, San Piero a Grado - Pisa.
Schedule: daily 8:00 – 19:00.
Ticket price: for free.

The Church of St. Paul on the Arno River (Chiesa San Paolo a Ripa d'Arno) has been in Pisa since the 10th century. It is famous for the ancient Roman sarcophagus of the 2nd century, which serves as a tomb. There are also frescoes and paintings by artists of past years.

Address: San Paolo a Ripa d'Arno, 21.

The Church of San Ferdiano (Chieza di San Ferdiano di Pizza) against the background of neighboring buildings has little to boast of in appearance. But inside it, real works of art, frescoes and other works of great masters have been preserved.

Address: Piazza San Ferdiano.

At the National Museum (Museo di San Matteo), visitors can see the creations of artists, sculptors and other masters from the 12th to the 17th centuries. Here are handwritten texts, including biblical ones.

The building previously functioned as the Convent of San Matteo and later was the Royal Palace.

Address: Piazza S. Matteo In Soarta.
Schedule: Mon – closed, Tue-Fri 8:30 – 19:00, Sat – Sun 8:30 – 13:30.
Ticket price: 5 euros.

At the Museum of Ancient Ships (Museo delle navi antiche) you can take a tour describing the exhibitions of found boats and ships from the 2nd to 7th centuries.

Address: Here are the personal belongings of sailors of those years, nets, anchors, and marine accessories for swimming.
Schedule: Via Ranussio Bianchi Bandinelli.
Ticket price: Fri – Sun: 10:00 – 11:00, 14:30 – 16:30.

adult – 6 euros, children under 6 years old – free.

An elongated, nondescript building near the Square of Miracles - Ospedale di Santo Spirito. Now it is a museum where a collection of rough frescoes is collected.

Address: Piazza del Duomo.
Schedule:

Previously, the building served as a hospital for the poor and homeless children.
winter: 9:30 – 16:30;

Ticket price: in summer: 8:00 – 20:00.

The Opera del Duomo Museum (Museo dell’opera Duomo) is interesting for its exhibition, which includes original decorative elements and decorations of medieval buildings and structures of Cathedral Square.

Address: Piazza del Duomo.
Schedule: 8:30 – 17:30.
Ticket price: 10 euros.

The Botanical Garden of Pisa (Orto botanico di Pisa) is the oldest in the world, its creation dates back to the 16th century.

Here visitors will take a walk in the shade of trees, among green plants and shrubs.

The collection includes about 600 species of flora.

Within the garden there is a Botanical Museum, open to the public.

Address: via Luca Ghini 5.
Schedule:

winter: daily 9:00 – 17:00;
in summer: daily 8:30-20:00.

Ticket price: 4 euros (with a visit to the museum).

You can unwind with nature and relax in an atmosphere of peace and quiet in the Scotto Garden (Italian: Giardino di Scotto). The green zone stretches along the banks of the Arno River.

The area is decorated with flower beds and well-kept landscaping, and is home to the Citadel Nuova.

Address: Lungarno Leonardo Fibonacci, 2.
Schedule: daily 8:00 – 20:00.
Ticket price: for free.

The Borgo Stretto quarter also deserves attention; there is something to see here. On a narrow street, among stone houses, restaurants and cafes offer their visitors to taste delicacies and dishes of Italian cuisine.

Also in the vicinity of Borgo Stretto, tourists will find souvenir shops where they can buy memorable gifts for themselves and their loved ones.

The Arno River embankment is good during the day for leisurely, soulful walks. From the Ponte di Mezzo there is a wonderful view of colorful buildings with the aroma of antiquity.

In the evening, the nightclubs and restaurants of the embankment attract the city's youth and partygoers.

What to see with children?

The city has entertainment centers and parks for children. One of these is the open-air Sunlight Park. Kids will be able to have fun on the water park slides, splash in the pool, jump on the trampoline and try out other attractions. You won't be able to stay hungry in the park, since there is a cafe here.

Address: Viale del Tirreno, 44/b, Tirrenia.
Schedule: daily 10:00 – 18:30.
Ticket price: adult – 16 euros, children – 13 euros.

Another original entertainment can be found in a simple corn field. This is the labyrinth of San Rossore (Italian: Labirinto di mais di San Rossore). The idea is that corn bushes are cut out to form a maze and visitors are encouraged to find a way out.

Address: Tenuta di San Rossore.
Schedule: 18:00 – 21:00.

In the adventure park “Sosnovy Bor”(Italian: Il Pineto Parco Avventura) children will appreciate the ropes course, ride a bungee, walk along bridges between trees, and will also be able to overcome organized obstacle courses.

Address: Marina di Pisa.
Ticket price: depends on the chosen attraction and route; entrance to the park is free.

Take a tour in Russian and ride horse-drawn carriages It is possible through the territory of the natural park “Migliarino, San Rossore and Massaciuccoli” (Italian: Parco Regionale Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli). The place is saturated with a wide variety of vegetation. Animals live here, including wild boars.

Address: Loc. Cascine Vecchie.
Schedule: Tue-Sun: 8:00 – 18:00, Mon – closed.

Story Pisa began in the 9th century. BC, when the Etruscans lived on these lands.
In 180 BC. Pisa became a Roman colony with the name Portus Pisanus.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the decline did not affect the city, although a similar fate befell many Roman settlements. A well-developed river system provided protection for the city, and the Pisan fleet was important under the Goths, Lombards and Carolingians.
The 11th century became important in the history of Pisa. Time of birth Pisa Maritime Republic- one of the four maritime republics in the Mediterranean. (The other three are Genoa, Venice, Amalfi).
At this time, the economic and political power of Pisa grew, commercial ties were established, and buildings were erected, including the Cathedral and the famous Leaning Tower.
The Pisa fleet took an active part in the Crusades, and various shrines were linked from the Holy Land. The Republic acquired colonies in North Africa, Spain and Asia Minor.
The end of the republic came in 1284, when Genoa defeated Pisa.
In 1406 it came under the rule of Florence and the Medici family.
In 1472, the university was opened and a new city center was laid out. The further history of Pisa is closely connected with Tuscany and Florence.
I would like to add that it is the hometown of Galileo Galilei, an astronomer, physicist, mathematician and the author of the famous phrase: “And yet it turns!”
These days, it attracts millions of tourists from all over the world who head straight to the Square of Miracles to see the Leaning Tower and take the standard photo as a souvenir, where you stop the tower from completely falling. Of course, the Square of Miracles, included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, deserves the closest attention. But Pisa does not live by a single tower!

Why is it already there, even in Pisa there are at least two more "leaning towers". One of them is the bell tower of the Church of St. Nicholas, located on via Santa Maria. The other is the bell tower of the Church of St. Michael Barefoot, located on viale delle Piagge.
Not to mention other attractions and interesting places, including the embankments of the Arno River with magnificent palaces and churches, the Museum of Ancient Ships, Borgo Stretto, excellent shopping on corso Italia and a lot of nightlife, since the city is youth and student.

is an ancient city that is divided into two quarters by the Arno River - Tramontana in the north and Mezzogiorno in the south.
The route starts from the railway station, from which it goes almost immediately corso Italia – main street of Pisa, a shopping thoroughfare and the concentration of all the noisy and chaotic life of the city. It seems that the cobblestone avenue calms down only before dawn, only to be filled with the buzz of rushing people, students walking from the station to the university buildings, and the aromas of freshly brewed coffee and vanilla pastries early in the morning.
At the very beginning of the avenue there is a strict Church of St. Dominic. The church once belonged to a Dominican monastery founded in the 14th century. But the monastery moved to a new location, and the frescoes were preserved in the church.
Further along corso Italia located Church of Santa Maria del Carmine, founded in 1325. This church also belonged to the monastery. During the Second World War it was seriously damaged, but was restored.
We continue our walk further, the next stop is covered gallery called Loggia Banchi. The gallery was built in 1603-5. designed by the famous Florentine architect Bernardo Buaontalenti by order of the Duke of Tuscany Ferdinand I de' Medici. At first there was a market for wool and silk, and later they sold grain. "Banks" in Italian means "trays", i.e. trays from which trade was carried out.
Near - Clock tower, which is one of symbol of Pisa, located on the Arno River embankment. The palace with the tower is called Pretorio. It was built in the Middle Ages, but the tower was added in 1785. Now the city library is located here. This part of Pisa was heavily damaged during the bombing of the Second World War, but retained its charm.

Let's cross the Arno River Mezzo Bridge(another name for the Conte Ugolino bridge). Once upon a time there were two shores Pisa There was only one wooden bridge connecting it. In the 11th century The first stone bridge was built, it was moved to the east, exactly to the place where the Mezzo Bridge is now located. The length of the bridge is 89 meters, it connects the two quarters of the city of Tramontana and Mezzogiorno and leads to the historical center of Pisa.
On the bridge, let's turn around and admire the palace made of gray stone - Palazzo Gambacorti. The palace was built from 1370 to 1392. for the wealthy Gambakorti family of merchants. The Gothic facade is decorated with elegant windows separated by columns.

On the other side of the river we find ourselves on Piazza Garibaldi, which is surrounded by historical palaces - witnesses to the cultural life of the city of the late modern era.
In the center of the square you can see Garibaldi statue life-size, erected in 1892 according to the design of Ettore Ferrari.
The area goes into Borgo Stretto - medieval quarter, from which narrow streets branch off - the medieval essence of Pisa. The entire layout of the ancient city was aimed at protecting against enemy attacks. Narrow alleys allowed for better control and control of the situation.
In Borgo Stretto there is a beautiful Church of San Michele in Borgo in Roman-Gothic style.

The church of San Michele in Borgo belonged to the monastery and already existed in 1016. The modern building is the result of changes and additions in different centuries, so in the Middle Ages a bell tower appeared, and in the 18th century it developed late Baroque features. In 1846, the church was damaged in an earthquake; restoration work was completed only in 1963.
The facade of the church dates back to the 14th century, it is decorated with marble and is divided into three parts, in the center is the Madonna and Child.
Inside, the church is divided into three naves, the main altar was erected above the crypt of the 11th-12th centuries. It is decorated with a Crucifix (XIV century) by Nino Pisano. Frescoes from the 13th-18th centuries have also been preserved.

Small porticoed streets lead to cozy squares protected by towers and narrow alleys. Tiny markets are hidden here - fruit and vegetable, fish and flower.

Let's turn to Via Ulisse Dini, which connects Borgo Stretto With Piazza dei Cavalieri.
The street is named after mathematician and senator of Pisa – Ulisse Dini(1845-1918), his statue is installed at the church of San Stefano dei Cavalieri at the end of the street.
During the times of Ancient Rome, luxurious domus were located along the street - palaces of wealthy Romans. In the Middle Ages, the streets were connected to alleys, on which there were numerous blacksmith workshops. In the 12th century began to appear here tower houses, the ruins of some of them have survived to this day.
In the XV-XVI centuries. The appearance of Ulisse Dini Street changed dramatically, new buildings swallowed up tower houses, and new churches were erected.
On weekends, a flea market takes place on the streets and squares, where you can buy almost everything, from ancient books to designer jewelry.

On Piazza dei Cavalieri located Carovana Palace (Palazzo della Carovana), designed by Giorgio Vasari.

The palace was built in 1562-64. for the Order of St. Stephen, a Tuscan order of chivalry named after the saint. Nowadays the Higher Normal School of Pisa is located here - the state center of higher education. The façade of the building is decorated with sculptures and graffiti that depict allegorical figures and zodiac signs.

On the same square you can see Church of Cavalieri di Santo Stefano (chiesa dei Cavalieri di Santo Stefano), also built according to Vasari's design. Inside are works by Giorgio Vasari, Jacopo Ligozzi, Agnolo Bronzino, Alessandro Fei and others.
Statue of Cosimo I, who was the first Gran Maestro of the Order of the Knights of St. Stephen, and fountain, all by Pietro Francovilla.

From the square we will walk along via Corsica before Church of St. Sixtus in Cortevecchia (S. Sisto in Cortevecchia), which was built in 1087.

Cortevecchia - “old courtyard”, this toponym refers us to the early Middle Ages, when here was the political center of the city and the official residence of the Lombard ruler. The appearance of the church underwent serious changes at the beginning of the 17th century. and in the 60s. XVIII century The facade is divided into three parts, the original appearance of the church is preserved on the right side, where you can see the limestone masonry. Inside, the church is divided into three naves by two rows of columns made of granite and marble with medieval capitals.

Next - by via dei Mille, which ends at Cafe "Dolce Pisa". There are always a lot of people in the lively cafe, you can swallow a tiny cup of vigorous coffee and look into Botanical Garden, the entrance of which is located nearby.
The botanical garden was realized by order of Cosimo I de' Medici and belongs to the University of Pisa. Plants from different parts of the world are collected in a small space.

Let's continue our journey along via Santa Maria towards the Leaning Tower.

Here it is Trovatelli almshouse, founded in 1315 after the Battle of Montecatini. The official name of the institution is the Peace and Prince Hospital, it was designed for 20 beds.
In the XIV century. the hospital became a shelter for abandoned children. Later, the “baby wheel” system began to operate here, i.e. Behind the bars of the window, a wooden barrel was installed, where mothers who decided to get rid of the child usually placed a newborn baby at night; in the morning, the barrel was turned and the baby was taken from the other side. This system existed until 1921.
Now the façade of the building is decorated with a child.

We arrive at Duomo Square.
The most famous architectural ensemble of Pisa is the Duomo Square, also called the Square of Miracles., on which they are located Cathedral, Leaning Tower, Caposanto Cemetery and Baptistery. All of them are included in the UNESCO list.
On the square they are located in a special order: the theological route, where the Baptistery is birth, the Cathedral is life, and the Caposanto cemetery is death.
The square was founded during the Etruscan times and was also used by the ancient Romans.
The square acquired its modern form in 1063, when a new Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Mary. At that time, this area was located outside the city wall, which was expanded in 1156. But before that, a Baptistery opposite the cathedral. In 1173, construction of the bell tower began.
But first let's talk about Cathedral.

Its construction began in 1063 by the architect Busqueto in the Romanesque style. The cathedral is richly decorated with multi-colored marble and mosaics, the most valuable of which were made by Cimabue. There is a legend that Galileo formulated the theory of the pendulum by observing the oscillations of a lamp suspended from the ceiling of the cathedral. This lamp is still called the Galileo lamp.
Baptistery, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, was erected in the 12th century. in the Romanesque style, designed by Diotizalvi. Its dome is interesting in the shape of a truncated cone; at first there was a hole on top, like in the Roman Pantheon, but later a cap was put on it.

The baptistery remained unfinished until the end of the 14th century, then the loggia and upper floor were added and the dome was completed in the Gothic style by Nicola Pisano and his son Giovanni.
The Baptistery building is very symbolic: inside there are 12 columns according to the number of apostles, the baptismal font has an octagonal shape, which corresponds to the eighth day not created by God, the font is set on three steps, which symbolizes the Holy Trinity.
This is the largest Baptistery in Italy, its diameter is 107.25 m.
Inside, the Baptistery is simple and unassuming, renowned for its exceptional acoustics and echoes.
Falling tower, also known as the bell tower of the Cathedral, the most famous building not only of the square, but of all of Pisa. Its construction began in 1173, when the third tier was built, the tower began to lean in one direction. This was due to the sandy soils and shallow foundation. But the construction of the tower continued and was completed in 1350, having erected seven bells. Six of the seven floors of the tower are surrounded by arched loggias, which replicate the facade of the Cathedral. The height of the tower is about 56 meters, the slope from the vertical is about five meters. At the end of the 20th century. the tower was strengthened and opened to public visits.
The Campo Santo cemetery has the shape of a monastery courtyard with earthen graves. The soil was brought from Mount Golgotha when the Crusader ships returned from the Holy Land after the Fourth Crusade.

Let's walk along via Santa Maria to the embankment.

The embankments of the Arno River are the real center of Pisa, a meeting place for students and locals. Every evening the embankments are illuminated by the lights of cafes and bars. In the summer, the embankments are closed to traffic and turn into a pedestrian zone, where people mix chaotically, sit on the curbs and have fun.
Gelaterias along the Arno are always in demand and offer numerous types of ice cream.

Pisa embankment.

There are four historical embankments in Pisa, separated by the river and the Mezzo bridge, they are called - Lungarno Gambacorti and Galilei on South, Lungarno Pacinotti and Mediceo in the north. The Fortezza and Cittadella bridges mark the eastern and western boundaries of the walled city.
Street via Santa Maria comes to the embankment Lungarno Pacinotti.

On the embankment Lungarno Pacinotti Renaissance palaces dominate. This embankment appeared on the remains of a medieval wall. Here is the church of Santa Maria dei Galletti and Royal Palace, which houses the National Museum with a collection of paintings by Raphael, Guido Renia and Rosso Fiorentino. The palace was built in 1583 by Bernardo Buontalenti for Francesco I de' Medici. This is the most prominent palace on the embankment. Its corner tower is one of the most ancient in Pisa. From this tower Galileo showed Grand Duke Cosimo II a new telescope.

There is an embankment on the other side of the river Lungarno Gambacorti, where the City Hall of Pisa is located, Gambacorti Palace(which we already talked about above), Palazzo Blue (Blue Palace), where exhibitions are held, as well as the churches of Santa Cristina and Santa Maria della Spina.

We will reach the famous Mezzo Bridge. It starts from him embankment Lungarno Mediceovi. Here you will find the Medici Palace (Prefecture) and the Romanesque church of San Matteo. The church belonged to a former monastery; now it houses a museum that houses works of art and sculptures of the Pisan school.
On the other side of the river is the most spacious promenade Lungarno Galilei with the Lanfranchi Palace, the octagonal church of Santo Spolcro and the Palace of the Knights of Malta.

Pisa is a paradise for gourmets and wine lovers, numerous restaurants and wine bars offer a wide selection of dishes and wines. Prices from affordable to Bagus (piazza Dei Facchini, 13) to higher levels with gourmet cuisine in the restaurant Palazzo Blu.
The cuisine of Pisa is synonymous with typical Tuscan cuisine, and here you can find any dish from the region. For example, a salad with bread crumb or pasta - picci from Siena, Florentine steak or fish soup from Livorno.
In general, fish can often be found in Pisan cuisine.
Grilled Arno mullet - muggine or cod - baccala with leeks.
We also pay attention to blue meats - pheasant, duck, wild boar, rabbit.
For dessert – shortcrust pastry cake with fruit filling.

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