A Travel Experience: Three Must-see Attractions in Pisa

The Square of Miracles

The Square of Miracles architecturally documents the strong religious past of the city. It's a large pastoral square within the standing medieval wall of the old city. The square contains the Cathedral of the Assumption of St Mary, its baptistery and its campanile, commonly known as the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The heart of the square is the cathedral. Built during 1063 - 1350, it is the ecclesiastical seat of Pisa's Archbishop as it was then. Its central dome and small windows highlight Romanesque architecture.

This structure is massive. Even today, its size and its intricate design combine with its white marble skin to cast an overpowering feeling to first time observers. No doubt at first sight, medieval observers were equally awestruck.

The cathedral circular baptistery (190 feet diameter) is a white marble structure. It is capped with a dome surmounted with a cone. Its construction started in 1152 and completion came during the 14th century. It is the tallest structure on the square.

The original design of the square called for the campanile to be its tallest building. It is widely known as the leaning Tower of Pisa.

Its construction began in 1174 and it was completed in 14th century. The walls at the base of this tower are 13 feet thick but they thin to 6 feet at the top. The foundation, which is the size of the tower base, sank on one side shortly after its construction. To compensate for the lean, the third, fifth and top stories were adjusted. However the tower leaned as much as 17 feet during the mid 20th century. Subsequent structural adjustments now ensure its stability. Because of the lean, the baptistery is the tallest structure on the square.

Visitors are allowed to climb the tower's 296 stairs to a panoramic view of Pisa. But as a safety precaution, the number of visitors in the tower at any given time is limited to 1000.

The University of Pisa

My second must-see Pisa attraction is the University of Pisa. Although Pisa had been the home of scholarly lectures in law as early as the 11^th century, it wasn't until 1343 that Pope Clement VI founded it by papal authority. The first courses of study at the university were civil law, canon law, theology and medicine.

Throughout its existence, the university has been one of Europe's great scientific centers. It was there that Galileo Galilei, a native of Pisa, studied and became one of its famous mathematics professors as well as a distinguished father of science and astronomy.

Other students of distinction are Enrico Fermi, Andrea Bocelli, Carlo Rubbia, Cesare Borgia and Pope Clement XII, and Guido Fubuni.

Today the university advances research in many fields but it has a special distinction in mathematics, chemistry, engineering and computer science. With a student body of 50,000 in a city of 90,000, the influence of the university has evolved from its religious centering to a major science center.

Unlike major American universities with a central campus, the University of Pisa conducts classes in many Pisa locations. The 19 th century facade of Normale University is normally shown as a historical face of this ancient university.

The River Arno

My third must-see attraction is the RIver Arno. Throughout the ages, the Arno has been an important character in stories about Pisa life. A typical Pisa scene along the Arno testifies its importance to the locals and students. Despite the river's destructive tendency to flooding, one finds fine18^th century residences along its banks.

.

Tours

Pressed for time? My three attractions are the highlights of 3-hour guided tours. These tours have a 35/45 minute-break at the Square of Miracles. That respite can be used for personal relief, an opportunity to photograph the famous buildings, as well as time to experience the ambiance of the area.

During the break, the touring companies provide complementary refreshments, the tour guides answer questions and continue to tell stories and explain interesting local customs.

Pisa is a college town with all the energy and activities of a college town. With Florence, a mere 50 miles away, and the coast, a 30 minute car trip away in the opposite direction, Pisa is central to many activities for an excellent vacation choice, a romantic getaway, a family get-together, or a retreat to strengthen a foundering relation.

A Symbol of Survival
Santa Maria della Spina is a quaint little Gothic church in Pisa. It was erected in 1230. Presently, it has been reerected along the Arno about 0.7 miles south of the old city to protect it from the floods of the Arno. This little quaint structure symbolizes the spirit of this city - small, purpose-driven and lasting.