Piazza dei Miracoli

Description:

• A day trip to Pisa (about 90 kilometers east of Florence and about 1 hour either by train or car) will take you to visit one of the most striking squares in the country. The so-called Campo dei Miracoli gathers on its lawn all the most important sacred buildings of Pisa: the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Monumental Cemetery and the Hospital (now Museum of Sinopias). The real name of the square is Piazza Duomo but the nickname was invented by Italian poet Gabriele D'Annunzio. The square is listed among UNESCO Heritage Sites, and the Opera Primaziale is the organization that protects and maintains the whole monumental area. Pisan-Romanesque-style architecture characterizes the buildings, which were erected around 1000 to 1200 C.E. The round Leaning Tower actually had static problems, probably due to the sandy soil, and started to lean at the time of its construction. The Cathedral is an outstanding masterpiece (don't miss the sculpted pulpit by Giovanni Pisano!) and there, according the legend, Galileo developed his pendulum theory while looking at a fluctuating incensory. Opening hours vary according the month. Generally in winter: 9:30 - 17:00 and  summer: 8:30 - 20:00. Admission to the Leaning Tower is EUR15 amd EUR2 for the Cathedral. Cumulative tickets are available for other monuments. For information on disabled access, call +39 050 387 2210 -Maria Frullini
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