DO & SEE
The boat service in Pisa (operating from April to October) will let you enjoy the architectural scenery of the embankments or the natural beauty of the nearby San Rossore Regional Park. In the Natural Park the racecourse: the gallop season goes from October to March. Pisa celebrates its traditional events the fascinating “Luminara”, the historical Regatta on the Arno and the contest “Gioco del Ponte” in June. An alternative is the Festival of International Sacred Music, “Anima Mundi”, taking place in September-October in the Cathedral and Monumental Cemetery.
Torre Pendente (Leaning Tower of Pisa)
The Tower of Pisa is the bell tower of the Cathedral. Its construction began in 1173 and continued for over two centuries. It has a lean of 5,4 metres.
Duomo and Baptistery Battistero
Monuments and museums belong to the Opera Primaziale Pisana, founded in the 12th century to build and supervise the works of the monuments in the so-called Miracles’ Square, because of the architectural and artistic beauty. The Cathedral was first built 1064, when Pisa was the most powerful sea-based republic in the Western Mediterranean. In 1152 the construction of the Baptistery began, and was completed in gothic style a century later. Since 1987 the monumental complex has been awarded by UNESCO as World Heritage. In addition to monuments conservation and restoration, the Opera Primaziale Pisana promotes events such as the Festival of Sacred Music “Anima Mundi” (Sept-Oct) and “Concerts under the Tower” (Jun-July). Museums and monuments are open all the year, except on 25th December and 1st January.
Camposanto (Holy Yard)
The Italian word “camposanto” (holy yard) – which is synonym of ’cemetery’ – was first used with reference to this Pisan building because, according to the legend, it contained soil which was seem as miraculous due to its origins in the Holy Land.
Museo dell’Opera del Duomo (Cathedral Museum)
This museum contains works which previously adorned the buildings in the Piazza dei Miracoli.
Museo Nazionale di San Matteo
Housed in the 13th century former Benedictine monastery, the museum keeps works from the main religious buildings of the city. Remarkable are the collections of 14th- and 15th-century Pisan sculpture and the collection of paintings consisting of nearly 200 works from the Tuscan school (12th-14th century). The picture gallery keeps paintings by Italian and foreign artists dating until 18th century, ecclesiastical vestments and liturgical gold-works.
Piazza dei Cavalieri
The beautiful Piazza dei Cavalieri was the political center of the Pisan Republic. During the 16th century it was radically transformed by Giorgio Vasari and became the seat of the new military order of the Knights of St. Stephen. The square is dominated by the Palazzo della Carovana, whose facade is completely covered in graffiti, and today hosts the Scuola Normale Superiore, founded by Napoleon in 1810.
Museo Nazionale di Palazzo Reale
The National Museum was prepared in 1989 to host numerous works of art belonging to the courts of the city government, such as the Medici, Lorena and Savoia, as well as some private collections. The building still keeps the appearance of an aristocratic residence, with fittings and furniture from the 17th to 19th centuries.
