{"id":568,"date":"2018-12-18T12:46:07","date_gmt":"2018-12-18T12:46:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zainoo.com\/blog\/en\/?p=568"},"modified":"2018-12-18T12:46:07","modified_gmt":"2018-12-18T12:46:07","slug":"piazza-del-duomo-in-pisa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zainoo.com\/blog\/en\/2018\/12\/18\/piazza-del-duomo-in-pisa\/","title":{"rendered":"Piazza del Duomo in Pisa"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Piazza

\u00a9Bigstock.com\/ViFi<\/p><\/div>\n

When hearing the name Pisa, you\u2019re probably thinking about one particular tower that is everything but straight. Sure, the Leaning Tower is the landmark of the Tuscan city for many tourists, yet only one of many sights on the cathedral square Piazza del Duomo. Also known as Piazza dei Miracoli (\u201cSquare of Miracles\u201d), it is home to what are most likely the grandest and most important sights of Pisa having had a major impact on epic Italian architecture and art far beyond the Middle Ages. The square was even named UNESCO World Heritage Site as early as 1987.<\/p>\n

Peripheral location, huge influence<\/strong><\/p>\n

Usually, it\u2019s historic city centres and medieval centres make the UNESCO list. Piazza del Duomo, too, takes up a major role in Pisa\u2019s city life, yet is \u201conly\u201d located at the northwest-most edge of the city centre. While this peripheral location seems unusual, it actually makes perfect sense. You will probably visit the cathedral square quite purposefully for a sightseeing tour, whereas the actual historic city centre is situated comparatively quietly displaying distinctive Tuscan flair.<\/p>\n

The buildings themselves were mostly built during the 11th<\/sup> and 12th<\/sup> century. They have an almost hypnotic effect to this very day attracting countless visitors from all around the world. The architectural style of the individual churches and monuments around the grassed area near the old town fortification would soon make its way up and down the country. Numerous towns and constructors tried to emulate the special, almost radiant appearance of the miracle square until far into the 14th<\/sup> century. You\u2019d like to know which buildings exactly you can find here? Well then, time to take a look at the highlights on the Piazza del Duomo in Pisa!<\/p>\n

Pisa Cathedral<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Piazza

\u00a9Bigstock.com\/moomusician<\/p><\/div>\n

You\u2019ll be astonished to hear that constructions of the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Pisa lasted over 200 years. Standing in front of it you probably won\u2019t notice as architects relied on a consistent fa\u00e7ade design using the same building material \u2013 Carrara marble \u2013 for the entire time. It should come as no surprise that Siena and Florence, among other towns, were inspired by this monumental Christian structure.<\/p>\n

To this day the cathedral cannot be dated precisely. That\u2019s a particular shame as the fa\u00e7ade marks the significant transition from smooth walls to a sculpturally designed display area, a genuine novelty in European architecture. As such, there\u2019s a wealth of theories about the outer wall designed in multi-colour marble, mosaics and bronze objects. Unfortunately, a severe fire destroyed most of the interior in 1595. The gold-plated panelled ceiling, for example, was installed during restauration works. Splendid frescoes and mosaics in the cupola and on the pulpit complement the monumental marble pillars quite formidably.<\/p>\n

Leaning Tower of Pisa<\/strong><\/p>\n

The foundation for a freestanding bell tower, intended to be part of Pisa Cathedral, was laid on 9 August 1173. Twelve years later, constructions had just reached the third floor, the campanile began to lean towards the southeast resulting in a hundred-year construction break. It was only around 200 years later that the Leaning Tower of Pisa, now the city\u2019s landmark, was finished in a modified manner.<\/p>\n

But why is the tower leaning anyway? It\u2019s likely due to the poor sand and bog ground. Furthermore, it stands at the edge of a former island that was next to the ancient port basin. The tower\u2019s inclination angle is now around four degrees, the pendulum inside it thus almost touches a side wall. Tours are possible again now \u2013 15 minutes for no more than 40 people at once. Let\u2019s hope you\u2019re not seasick!<\/p>\n

Baptistery<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pisa Cathedral was to get its own small baptistery in mid-12th<\/sup> century; small in comparison to the cathedral itself, that is. The abundant Romanesque-style church on a circular foundation is quite impressive in its own right, just with its richly adorned fa\u00e7ade alone. The busts above the arcades of the largest Christian baptistery in the world depict apostles and prophets. However, they are replicas of Giovanni Pisano\u2019s originals. Never-ending stairs lead you right beneath the cupola roof giving you an amazing view of da Como\u2019s baptismal font. And don\u2019t even get us started on the echo…<\/p>\n

Other highlights on the Piazza del Duomo<\/strong><\/p>\n

These three main buildings aside, you\u2019ll find many other exciting highlights on Pisa\u2019s cathedral square. We handpicked a few of our favourites for you:<\/p>\n