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Piazza del Duomo

Pisa · Italy

Background

World Heritage since
1987
Type of site
Cultural
Cathedral to Camposanto
1064–14th c.

Standing in a large green expanse, Piazza del Duomo houses a group of monuments known the world over. UNESCO says these four masterpieces of medieval architecture, the cathedral, the baptistery, the campanile known as the Leaning Tower and the cemetery, had a great influence on monumental art in Italy from the 11th to the 14th century.

The walled 8.87-hectare compound was named the meadow of miracles by Gabriele D'Annunzio in 1910. The cathedral, begun in 1064 to Buscheto's design, set the model for the Pisan Romanesque; the tower, begun in 1173, started leaning soon after and was stabilised in 2001.

More on the UNESCO listing More on Wikipedia

  1. 1064Buscheto begins the cathedral
  2. 1173Work starts on the bell tower, which soon begins to lean
  3. 1595Fire destroys the cathedral's original doors
  4. 2001The tower reopens after being stabilised
  5. 1987Inscribed as World Heritage

Find Your Way Around

The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them

  1. 1
    Leaning Tower
    Climb it on a timed ticket; the view rewards the effort.
  2. 2
    Pisa Cathedral
    Grey marble and white stone, Byzantine mosaics and bronze doors from Giambologna's workshop.
  3. 3
    Baptistery
    The round baptistery facing the cathedral.
  4. 4
    Camposanto
    The monumental cemetery along the north side.
  5. 5
    Sinopias and Cathedral Museums
    In the old hospital on the square.

Know Before You Go

From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides

Timed Tower Tickets
Wikivoyage: book online up to 20 days ahead; same-day slots may be hours after purchase, but there is plenty to see while you wait.
Bus from the Station
The LAM Rossa line links the station, the riverside and the square.
The Square at Night
The GoGo guide comes back at 21:30 when the square is lit and almost empty.
Illegal Sellers
Avoid buying from the unlicensed sellers around the square.

Field of Miracles

From the GoGo Pisa guide · Open the Pisa Guide ›

  1. 09:00
    Climb the Leaning Tower45 min
    On a timed slot.
  2. 10:00
    Pisa Cathedral1 hr
    The Romanesque cathedral.
  3. 11:15
    Baptistery and Camposanto45 min
    The round baptistery and the cemetery.
  4. 14:30
    Piazza dei Cavalieri45 min
    The Knights' Square.
  5. 21:30
    Leaning Tower Lit Up45 min
    The square after dark.

Best Time to Visit

Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct.

Typical highs

Best monthsRain: wettest Nov (111 mm), driest Jul (28 mm)

Climate: NASA POWER

Pair It With

Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance

WORTH A NIGHTDAY TRIPSAME DAYDistance not to scale · tap a site
Do These Together
Lucca's walls are 20 minutes by train, the Cinque Terre 55 km up the coast, and Florence an hour away.
Sources
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, listing 395 · Wikipedia: Piazza dei Miracoli · Wikivoyage: Pisa (CC BY-SA 4.0) · GoGo Pisa guide · UNESCO listing