Piazza del Duomo, Pisa
Pisa, Italy
19.05.2015
The Piazza del Duomo in Pisa is a square located in the heart of the beautiful city of Pisa in Italy. It is also known as Piazza dei Miracoli or Square of Miracles, due to its stunning architecture and historical significance. The square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to some of the most iconic landmarks of Pisa, including the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Baptistery of St. John, Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, and Campo Santo.
The construction of the Piazza del Duomo began in the 11th century and continued for several centuries, resulting in a beautiful blend of architectural styles such as Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance. Its layout was designed by the renowned Italian architect Diotisalvi and is considered a masterpiece of medieval urban planning.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa, one of the most famous landmarks in the world, is the bell tower of the cathedral and is known for its distinctive tilt. It was originally intended to stand vertically, but due to the soft ground beneath it, it started leaning during its construction in the 12th century. The tower stands at a height of 57 meters and is made of white marble, with a spiral staircase of 294 steps leading to the top.
The Baptistery of St. John is the largest baptistery in Italy and is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. Its construction began in the 12th century and continued for over 200 years, resulting in a unique blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. The baptistery is famous for its acoustics, with an echo that can be heard up to nine times after a single clap.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, also known as the Duomo di Pisa, is the main church of Pisa and is a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture. Its construction began in the 11th century and was completed in the 14th century. The cathedral is adorned with beautiful marble facade, intricate mosaics, and impressive bronze doors.
The Campo Santo, or the Holy Field, is a monumental cemetery located next to the cathedral. It was built in the 13th century and is famous for its collection of frescoes and sarcophagi. The cemetery is said to have been built on holy soil brought from the Holy Land during the Crusades.
Visiting the Piazza del Duomo in Pisa is a truly unforgettable experience, where you can witness the rich history and stunning architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a must-see for anyone visiting Italy and a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of human civilization.
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Standing in a large green expanse, Piazza del Duomo houses a group of monuments known the world over. These four masterpieces of medieval architecture – the cathedral, the baptistry, the campanile (the 'Leaning Tower') and the cemetery – had a great influence on monumental art in Italy from the 11th to the 14th century.
The Piazza dei Miracoli (Italian: [ˈpjattsa dei miˈraːkoli]; 'Square of Miracles'), formally known as Piazza del Duomo ('Cathedral Square'), is a walled 8.87-hectare (21.9-acre) compound in central Pisa, Tuscany, Italy, recognized as an important center of European medieval art and one of the finest architectural complexes in the world. It was all owned by the Catholic Church and is dominated by four great religious edifices: Pisa Cathedral, the Pisa Baptistery, the Leaning Tower of Pisa (the cathedral's campanile or bell tower), and the Camposanto Monumentale ('Monumental Cemetery'). Partly paved and partly grassed, the Piazza dei Miracoli is also the site of the Ospedale Nuovo di Santo Spirito ('New Hospital of the Holy Spirit'), which now houses the Sinopias Museum (Museo delle Sinopie) and the Cathedral Museum (Museo dell'Opera del Duomo).
The square's popular name was coined by the Italian writer and poet Gabriele D'Annunzio who, in his novel Forse che sì forse che no (1910), described the square as the "prato dei Miracoli", or 'meadow of miracles'. It is also sometimes called the Campo dei Miracoli ('Field of Miracles'). In 1987, the whole square was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
