Wayfaring in Pisa

Why wouldn’t anyone want to visit Italy? The country is rich in culture,  heritage, food, and art. Apart from introducing the world to everybody’s favorite Pizza, is known for its sophistication and etiquettes and being amongst the fashion capitals of the world, the country prides itself in being home to 53 UNESCO World Heritage sites with historic towns like Tuscany.

Pisa in Tuscany is one of the most visited places in Italy. There are plenty of sights to visit other than just The Leaning Tower of Pisa. If you have a long layover at the airport, you can catch any airport transfer service from the Pisa International Airport and check out the whole vibrant city in a matter of 14 hours.

Check out the must-visit spots if you are here for a layover or have one day to spare:

Leaning Tower Of Pisa (Of Course):

This Torre is the main reason for attracting such extensive tourism to Pisa. Considered an architectural mishappening, the tower took two centuries to build owing to the conflicts and war erupting in that period. The construction that started in 1173 was completed in 1372. The tower leans because of its insubstantial foundation made of sand, clay and Tuscan river deposit. The tower has served as the military base in times of World War II and unlike the popular belief is not the only leaning building in Pisa. The other architecturally flawed structures are San Nicola, San Michele degli Scalzi.

Piazza Dei Cavalieri:

Earlier known as the Piazza Delle Sette vie or Piazza of the seven ways, This place served as a defensive building for protecting the Tuscan coasts and the Mediterranean from the Turkish fleets and the picaroons. This picturesque square, which served as the political center of Pisa, from the grand duke of Tuscany who settled the Order of the knight’s seta in place of the caravan. The designing of the PIazza was assigned to Giorgio Vasari, who re-transformed the facade in an elegant Renaissance style. This building is now a seat for the local high school created at the request of  Napoleon Bonaparte.

© José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro

Piazza Dei Miracoli:

Formerly known as Piazza del Duomo, this monument is a prominent Cathedral and one of the 53 UNESCO World Heritage sites, proclaimed in 1987. This ancient structure is a reckoned architectural and religious piece of art, attracting tourism since forever. The building comprises of complex which has four religious edicts: the Baptistery representing birth, Cathedral of Santa Maria Anuta meaning life, Camposanto signifying death and the infamous Leaning Tower of Pisa with its bell tower. The name was given by the Italian writer and poet Gabriele d’ Annunzio, who hailed this place as “Prato dei Miracoli,” or “meadow of miracles,” hence the name. The Cathedral plays a pivotal role in determining the beginning of  Pisan New Year.

Santa Maria Della Spina:

Amongst the intricately designed religious and cultural structures, Santa Maria Della Spina 13 century gothic framework brings out the Pisan Gothic side despite its small stature. Considered one of the most splendid, the church is luminescent because of its white, embellished facade. Located just outside the Pisa’s historic center, tourist can reach this place via bus service from the Pisa’s central station. The tourist flying to this place can visit even when they have a short layover since this place is only 3 km from the Pisa International Airport.

These places are of highest significance and have helped putting Italy in the global map, culturally and religiously. People thinking of visiting Italy must go on a one day trip to Pisa and explore its archeological and reverent beauty.