Pisa, Italy is known the world over mainly for one famous tourist sight,
but this city that sits on the banks of the Arno River in the central part of the country offers much more. From museums to natural wonders, Pisa offers a lot to those looking for a more pointed and pleasant look at Italian culture through a Tuscan lens.
1. Leaning Tower of Pisa
Pisa’s most popular attraction is the Leaning Tower. But what most don’t realize is that it is actually one of four structures that make up the Campa dei Miracoli or Field of Miracles. The tower is the campanile or the bell tower. The tower was first erected in August 1173, with construction continuing throughout the next two centuries amidst conflicts in the areas. Various architects have attempted to correct the lean of the 17-story white marble tower over the years to no avail. The lean is actually due to the tower being built on an unstable bed of sand. Those who venture to climb the 294 steps will be treated to one of the best panoramic sights to be found in the world.
2. San Miniato
Forty minutes west of Pisa takes you to the medieval town of San Miniato, a historic area that conveys the full richness of Tuscany and its culture. San Miniato sits atop three small hills in the lower Arno valley and was established primarily for this geographical position, keeping much of the same infrastructure since the Lombards first settled there in the 700s. The town has a plethora of historical sights to visit such as the Palazzo Communale built in the 14th century, which still serves as the town hall and the Convent of San Francesco, reputed to have been founded by Saint Francis of Assisi in 1211. San Miniato is also home to a particular gourmet delicacy — white truffles. Prized for their taste, the town holds an annual event attended by aficionados, chefs, and other curious parties. Art buffs will also take pleasure in visiting the Diocese Museum of Sacred Art, which houses many traditional works by artists like Fra Bartolomeo.
3. Piazza dei Miracoli
Formally referred to as Piazza del Duomo, this entire complex is home to the aforementioned Leaning Tower of Pisa. It’s been dubbed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1987 and received its name thanks to renowned Italian poet Gabriele D’Anunzio. Located in the northwestern part of Pisa, the Piazza dei Miracoli was first constructed in 1064 beginning with the Duomo of Santa Maria Assunta. Wide plazas allow many visitors to move around and marvel at the intricate designs, which in some cases even include Arabic influences on the loggias.
4. Banks of the Arno
The Arno riverbanks are a key point of reference for those visiting Pisa and for locals. The banks of the Arno are easily reachable by certain streets and can be reached from certain popular sites around the city. There are one or two scenic spots, the most notable being the Santa Maria della Spina on the Arno Gambacorti. This church, built in 1333, gained notoriety due to having once been the home of the cherished artifact of one of the spurs from the crown of Jesus Christ. One special event takes place on June 16th, which is known as the Illustration of San Ranieri where a number of candles are lit to better enhance the buildings along the water
5. Keith Haring Mural - Tuttomondo
Keith Haring, one of modern art’s greatest muralists, left his indelible mark on Pisa. In 1989, he was commissioned by the city to create a signature mural after a chance encounter with a student from Pisa while in New York City. The mural is on the south wall of the Church of St. Anthony taking up 180 square meters (1,937.5 sq ft) and contains 30 figures in much less vivid colors than Haring normally employed in his work. The piece overall is meant to promote greater peace within humanity. Haring managed to complete it before his untimely passing the following year.
6. Battistero
The Pisa Baptistry of St. John, known as the Battistero, was first erected in 1152 as a replacement and is the second building to make up the Piazza dei Miracoli. It’s the largest such edifice of its kind in all of Italy, standing at 54.86 meters (180 ft) in height. One curious fact about the Battistero is that it also was built on the same bed of unstable sand as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which gives it a very faint lean as well. The Baptistery is also an early example of the combination of Gothic and Romanesque architecture that was seen in the country during that era.
7. Piazza dei Cavalieri
The Knights Square is the second most popular square to encounter in Pisa. It takes its name from the fact that it was the home of the Order of the Knights of St. Stephen beginning in the 1500s and was the main hub of political activity in the city. A few of the buildings were designed by Giorgio Vasari, the chief engineer of the Grand Duke Medici of Florence. Nowadays, the University of Pisa has a special educational facility there and there is also an ambulance service stationed there as well
8. Camposanto
Located in the Piazza dei Miracoli at the northwestern part of the complex is the Camposanto or Camposanto Monumentale. This is the last structure to be built within the Piazza; the Camposanto is the cemetery. Surrounded by an outer wall of 43 blind arches, the cemetery is notable due to the fact that part of the construction involved the usage of soil imported directly from Golgotha. Currently, that older burial ground is underneath what is now standing. Other attractions at the Camposanto involve a series of frescoes that date back to the 1300s that were damaged in World War II and are now being restored along with a large amount of Roman-era sarcophagi on the grounds.
9. Torrente Serra canyon of near Florence
Book this activity and enjoy rappelling, plunging into deep pools, and swimming along Torrente Serra Canyon. Slip your way over or under its gigantic boulders. For those of you unfamiliar with canyoning, it is where you follow the river stream in a canyon. Traverse the narrow walls and polished marble edges. Nature-lovers are lured by the canyon’s amazing landscape with its beautiful and large deep waters flown down from Mount Altissimo in the Apuan Alps. Adventure-seekers live the excitement with a series of waterfalls, climbing steps and sliding down the toboggan. The activity starts with an in-depth safety briefing before putting on your wetsuit, helmet and safety descender and longes. Then, walk through the riverbed of the stream before descending the beautiful canyon for roughly two hours. You must be able to swim as there may be mandatory jumps along the path. The waterfall can be up to 12 metres (39 feet) deep
10. Tandem skydive at 4000m (13123 ft.) over Florence, Italy
Enjoy superb views of Florence and the Chianti countryside as you conquer your fear of heights! Embark in this adventure-pumping skydiving feat. Jump off the plane, spread your wings and fly with your 45-second free fall, manoeuvre the canopy and prepare for descent. You will be harnessed to a tandem master all throughout the activity. All that is left is for you enjoy the breath-taking scenery. The activity includes a brief safety and instruction orientation, and the services of certified tandem masters. You can also choose between hand camera-captured photos and videos as perfect souvenir for this experience!
Read also: Top 10 things to do in Bordeaux, France
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