If you are planning a train tour through Tuscany, Pisa should certainly be on your list. This quaint Italian city was a major Roman port during the Crusades. Sure, it’s mostly known now for its signature leaning tower – but this stunning city has so much more to offer!
Many of the landmarks in Pisa are located in the Piazza dei Miracole, the Square of Miracles, which also happens to be the home of La Torre Pendante, Leaning Tower of Pisa. You can stroll through sacred burial grounds, a stunning gothic cathedral, and a museum of antiquities, all within view of the tower.
The central location of Pisa’s attractions makes it an ideal stop for a day trip while you continue on your adventure through Tuscany. Hop off the train, leave your heavy bags at the convenient luggage storage in Pisa Centrale, and head out to explore.
Once you arrive in Pisa, you’ll want to head straight to the Piazza dei Miracole to see the cathedral and snap some photos with the leaning tower. Make your way towards the tower and the cathedral by walking down the Borgo Stretto.
Take in the architecture from the 14th and 15th centuries that lines the narrow streets. Grab an espresso in one of the cute cafes and start your day like an Italian.
Fun Fact: You can find the building where the famous astronomer Galileo was born! Look for Casa Boca on the corner of Borgo Stretto and via Mercanti.
Once you’ve taken your photos and climbed the Leaning Tower of Pisa, visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta – a stunning example of Romanesque architecture built in 1092. The cathedral features marble and gold and a breathtaking fresco of the assumption of Mary.
Remember that churches in Italty have a dress code – keep your knees and shoulders covered if you plan to enter the Cathedral and skip the crop tops or shorts.
Fun Fact: The Leaning Tower of Pisa is actually the bell tower for this enormous cathedral, once the largest in Europe.
Adjacent to the cathedral is the smaller Baptistery, which shows the transition of architecture in the region over time from Romanesque to Gothic. Inside you’ll find an enormous pulpit carved by Nicola Pisano featuring images from the New Testament.
Fun Fact: the domed room of the Baptistery was never completed. Half the roof is finished with orange tiles, while the rest remains bare.
Visit the graves of Pisan Patriarchs and view elaborate Roman sarcophagi. Gothic archways open to a lovely green space. Walk through the stunning courtyard and imagine those who came before you.
Fun Fact: Camp Santo is considered sacred ground since it’s believed soil from Golgotha, the site of Christ’s crucifixion, was brought back to Pisa and placed here after the third Crusade.
Don’t leave the Piazza dei Miracole without stopping by the Museo dell’ Opera del Duomo. This museum is one of the least visited sites in the area, which is a shame because the art and architecture give you a better understanding of Roman times.
Fun Fact: The second story of the museum has large glass windows which provide a picturesque view of the leaning tower.
Find a quaint cafe and enjoy a late lunch along the Arno River, which made Pisa an integral port town to the Roman Empire. Enjoy some of Pisa’s best delicacies, including:
Fun Fact: The Arno river has silted up since Roman times, making Pisa 10 miles kilometers inland versus ancient times.
Located on the left bank of the river Arno, this church may be tiny, but it’s still worth a visit. The exterior gothic architecture is ornate, with a simple interior. Look out at the river from the rosy windows and the sculptures of the apostles.
Fun Fact: “Spina” translates to “thorn” in English – the church takes its name from possessing a single thorn from Christ’s crown of thorns brought back to Pisa from the Holy Land.
Before you grab your bags from the luggage storage in Pisa Centrale and hop back on the train – stop by to view the modern mural Tuttomondo. This fun and colorful mural is on the back of the Sant’Antonio Abate church and is one of the few pieces by the artists painted for public view before his death in the early 90s.
Fun Fact: Murale Tuttomondo is one of the largest murals in Europe at 180 square feet.