Information about flights to Pisa
If you were to ask a small group of people what they considered to be Italy's most famous landmarks, the chances are the Leaning Tower of Pisa would be mentioned at least once. However, besides Pisa's outstanding medieval architecture, the city is also a thriving student city with a cosmopolitan population. It is a popular base for exploring the rest of Tuscany, a region blessed with many remarkable ancient, medieval and Renaissance landmarks.
Piazza del Duomo
Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the most intriguing monument of the Piazza del Duomo (Piazza dei Miracoli or Square of Miracles) is the leaning tower itself, which has remained intact for more than 800 years. The structure began to sink and lean towards it south side just a few years after building commenced. Over the centuries, this lean continued, although the angle has been reduced to prevent the building from collapsing. Next to the tower is the astounding cathedral, which marks the centre of Pisa and dates back to the mid 11th century, while the iconic Baptistery building is the largest in Italy but was not built until the 14th century.
Church of Santa Maria della Spina
The small 13th-century Gothic church of Santa Maria della Spina and is one of Tuscany's finest religious buildings, noted for its intrinsic marble decoration and beautiful façade. The church received its current name in 1333 and contains a number of splendid statues such as the Madonna della Rosa and the tabernacle, although the landmark was dismantled and moved to another location in the 19th century to protect it from flooding.
Banks of the River Arno
Another great way to explore Pisa is by walking along the picturesque banks of the River Arno, where you will pass the Museo Nationale di Palazzio Reale (National Museum of the Royal Palace), the historic Piazza Garibaldi, and the Museo Nazionale di S. Matteo (National Museum of S. Matteo). Next to the river you will also find a wide variety of restaurants serving fresh pizzas and pastas, delightful cafés, and other historic buildings and squares such as the Piazza Carrara and the Piazza Cairoli.
The wider area
If you're visiting Pisa for a few days, take a train or coach to Florence and explore the city's wonderful Duomo, Ponte Vecchio and Uffizi Gallery. There are countless other places of interest within easy reach as well, including the historic towers of San Gimignano, the enormous Piazza del Campo in Siena, and the charming seaside resort of Viareggio.
