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At the center of this majestic square stands the famous Leaning Tower, one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. The freestanding bell tower of Pisa Cathedral, designed by various architects between the 12th and 14th centuries, gained its tilt during construction, becoming an extraordinary architectural masterpiece.
Adjacent to the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta showcases a magnificent Pisan Romanesque style with Moorish and Byzantine influences. Inside, frescoes and sculptural details enrich this splendid testament to medieval art.
The Baptistery of St. John, once a religious and social hub, features elegant Pisan Romanesque architecture, representing Pisa's artistic journey through the centuries.
The Camposanto Monumentale, a monumental cemetery beside the cathedral, completes the architectural ensemble, featuring medieval frescoes and sculptures.
This square, with its extraordinary concentration of artistic and architectural masterpieces, embodies the pride and grandeur of the Maritime Republic of Pisa, now celebrated as a World Heritage site, a testament to the grandeur of art and human ingenuity.
Pisa, a city of art, rich history, and culture, owes its worldwide fame to the monumental Piazza del Duomo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. This symbol of the Maritime Republic of Pisa is best known as the "Piazza dei Miracoli" due to its extraordinary architectural treasures. Are you ready to explore the wonders of this unique square? The massive Piazza del Duomo of Pisa is situated just outside the medieval city center, which was too small to accommodate the impressive religious complex initiated with the construction of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in 1063 to celebrate the greatness of the powerful Maritime Republic of Pisa.
Prato dei Miracoli, as defined by Gabriele D'Annunzio in 1910, is a vast expanse of green lawn where four masterpieces of medieval monumental art, celebrated worldwide, stand: the famous Leaning Tower, the Camposanto, the Baptistery, and the Cathedral. The history of Piazza dei Miracoli is closely tied to Pisa's period of greatest splendor when it was a powerful maritime republic starting from the early 11th century. The idea was to have an important religious center symbolizing the main stages of human life: birth with the Baptistery, life with the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and its Tower, and death with the Camposanto.
The construction of these symbolic sites began in 1063 by the Opera della Primaziale Pisana, a lay-ecclesiastical institution created in the same year to manage the Pisa Cathedral complex. The final appearance of the square was achieved only in the 19th century, thanks to architect Alessandro Gherardesca, who demolished some minor buildings to highlight the four masterpieces defined as "miracles" by Gabriele D'Annunzio. Piazza dei Miracoli and its four masterpieces of medieval and Renaissance architecture were among the first Italian sites to be designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
In 1987, the United Nations agency recognized the uniqueness of this square and its monuments, rich in treasures of medieval and Renaissance art, such as the bronze and mosaic doors of the Cathedral, the pulpits in the Baptistery and the Cathedral, the frescoes in the Camposanto, and many more. Moreover, Piazza del Duomo holds the merit of marking the birth of Pisan Romanesque style, which was later exported to the rest of Tuscany, primarily to Lucca and Pistoia. For first-time visitors to Pisa, the iconic and globally recognized Leaning Tower, which stands behind the Cathedral, is a must-see. Although it may seem like a separate monument, the Leaning Tower of Pisa was originally built as the cathedral's bell tower.
Construction began in 1173 with six tiers of arcades mirroring the Cathedral's motif, and it was only completed in the second half of the 14th century due to subsidence in the underlying soil, which resulted in the tower's famous lean. The tower stands at 57 meters in height and is accessible by climbing the 294 steps of its spiral staircase from the base, providing a unique view of the entire square and the beautiful surrounding landscape.
Pisa's cathedral represents the epitome of Pisan Romanesque style, blending classical, Islamic, Lombard, and Byzantine elements, reflecting deep connections between the Maritime Republic of Pisa and the Mediterranean. After admiring the magnificent facade, prepare to be amazed by its interiors, rich in artworks, starting with Giovanni Pisano's pulpit, considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Italian Gothic art.
Across from the Cathedral stands the Baptistery, dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, which is the largest in Italy with a circumference of 107 meters and a height of 54 meters. Initiated in 1153 by Diotisalvi and completed in the 14th century, Pisa's Baptistery combines typical Romanesque elements with Gothic features. Inside, you can find Nicola Pisano's pulpit, Giovanni's son, but the true marvel lies in the exceptional acoustics created by the double dome. You only need to speak a few words to experience it, and if you're shy, you can rely on the staff who perform short vocal intonations every 30 minutes to highlight the power of the echo.
Pisa's Camposanto, located to the north of the Piazza dei Miracoli, is a monumental cemetery initiated in 1277, surrounded by a marble enclosure and designed as a cloister. This building, which is a veritable museum of art and archaeology, contributed to the term "camposanto" becoming synonymous with cemetery in Italy. Today, you can walk through its long corridors and discover a rich collection of Roman sarcophagi where several prominent Pisan figures from the past are buried.
The frescoes that adorned the Camposanto for centuries were damaged in 1944, but they have been undergoing careful restoration for years. These masterpieces, including Buonamico Buffalmacco's "The Triumph of Death," now find their home in the nearby Sinopie Museum.
However, Pisa has much more to offer. From Piazza dei Miracoli, you can easily walk to the historic city center, including Piazza dei Cavalieri, the result of a comprehensive renovation commissioned to Giorgio Vasari in 1558. The square is home to the Church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri, the Palazzo del Consiglio dei Dodici, and the Palazzo della Carovana, which houses the Normale di Pisa, one of the oldest, most respected, and sought-after universities in the world.
La Catedral de Pisa, también conocida como el Duomo de Santa María Asunta, es uno de los monumentos más célebres de la plaza de Pisa y un símbolo del poder y la riqueza de la República Marinera de Pisa. Situada en la espléndida Piazza del Duomo, conocida también como la Plaza de los Milagros, la Catedral representa el apogeo del estilo románico pisan, fusionando elementos clásicos, islámicos, lombardos y bizantinos.
La construcción de la Catedral de Pisa comenzó en 1063 bajo la dirección del arquitecto Buscheto, para celebrar las victorias navales de la República de Pisa contra los sarracenos. El edificio, completado en el siglo XII, fue ampliado por Rainaldo, quien añadió la imponente fachada de mármol blanco y gris, decorada con columnas y arcos ciegos.
La Catedral de Pisa es un ejemplo extraordinario de arquitectura medieval, caracterizada por una planta de cruz latina, cinco naves y un ábside semicircular. Su majestuosa fachada está decorada con mosaicos y esculturas refinadas. En el interior, la catedral alberga obras de arte de un valor incalculable, incluyendo el célebre púlpito de Giovanni Pisano, una de las obras maestras del arte gótico italiano.
El Duomo de Pisa no solo es una obra maestra arquitectónica, sino también un símbolo de la época dorada de la República Marinera de Pisa. Su construcción marcó el comienzo de la creación de un complejo religioso único en el mundo, que incluye la famosa Torre Inclinada, el Baptisterio y el Camposanto Monumental.
Visitar la Catedral de Pisa significa sumergirse en un viaje en el tiempo, descubriendo la magnificencia del arte y la arquitectura medieval. Admirar la belleza de su fachada, explorar los interiores ricamente decorados y descubrir la historia que ha hecho de este lugar un patrimonio de la humanidad es una experiencia imperdible para cualquiera que visite Pisa.
Among the ancient streets of Pisa, there is an intriguing and mysterious legend: that of the Devil’s claw marks. According to popular tales, the Devil, furious at being unable to prevent the construction of the majestic Pisa Cathedral, left deep claw marks on the marble. These "claw marks" are said to be the result of his rage, unleashed just before he was banished by the divine force watching over the square.
But how many of these famous Devil’s claw marks are there exactly? Counting them is no easy task. It is estimated that there are about 150 visible holes on the marble slab, but the exact number remains a mystery. Curiously, one variation of the legend suggests that the number of claw marks changes depending on who counts them, another trick of the Devil who continues to challenge the curious to this very day.
The Pisa Cathedral, or Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, has five naves. The central nave is flanked by two pairs of smaller side naves, for a total of four side naves. This five-nave arrangement is a distinctive feature of the architecture of Pisa Cathedral, reflecting the influence of Early Christian and Classical architecture.
The Pisa Cathedral does not have actual "floors" like a modern building. However, from an architectural perspective, two main levels can be distinguished: the lower level, characterized by a wide central nave and four side naves, with round arches supported by columns and pillars, and the matroneum (upper gallery), a second level running above the side naves, historically reserved for women. These two levels form the main internal height of the cathedral. So, while it is not divided into "floors" like a residential building, the cathedral features a structure with two distinct levels.
The Pisa Cathedral does not have actual "floors" like a modern building. However, from an architectural standpoint, two main levels can be distinguished: the lower level, characterized by a wide central nave and the four side naves, with round arches supported by columns and pillars, and the matroneum (upper gallery), a second level running above the side naves, historically reserved for women. These two levels form the cathedral’s main internal height. So, while not correctly divided into "floors" like a residential building, the cathedral features a structure with two distinct levels.
The Pisa Cathedral is a classic example of Pisan Romanesque style, a variant of Romanesque architecture that developed in the Tuscany region during the Middle Ages. This style is distinguished by several specific characteristics: the façade of the cathedral features a series of overlapping loggias, with round arches supported by marble columns, a distinctive trait of the Pisan style; the Pisan Romanesque style blends elements of classical Roman tradition with Eastern influences, evident in the use of polychrome materials, white and gray marbles, and decorative details; the cathedral is clad in white and gray marble, creating a very characteristic visual effect; both outside and inside, the cathedral displays numerous sculptures, reliefs, and decorative ornaments that express the artistic richness of the era.
