Pisa is an Italian city located in the west of Tuscany right at the mouth of the Arno River. Despite the fact that Pisa is a relatively small city (population - about 100 thousand inhabitants), its history is very confused and saturated. Until now, no one knows for sure who the founder of Pisa was - whether they were Etruscans, Ligurians or Greeks who moved here from Pisa - a city located in the Greek Peloponnese. Nevertheless, it is reliably known that the heyday of the city fell on the 11th century, when the Pisa Republic, along with Venice, Genoa and Amalfi, became one of the four powerful sea powers.
Due to its convenient geographical position - at the crossroads of trade routes of Italy, Spain and France - Pisa grew, expanding its borders, developing sea trade and strengthening military power. In the XII-XIII centuries, the Pisa Republic almost continuously fought with Genoa, then with Florence, then with Lucca.
The end of the Leaning State of Pisa was a defeat in the battle with the Genoese at Meloria in 1284, the sea power of Pisa was undermined by the change of the Arno riverbed, which blocked the access to the sea by the Pisa fleet. In the XV century, Pisa was captured by the Florentines - under the rule of the Medici, the city completely lost its political significance, while remaining one of the most important cultural centers in Europe.
St. Mary's Cathedral is a magnificent building erected in the XI-XII centuries.
During the Second World War, some of Pisa's historical monuments were damaged, but, fortunately, they were restored and restored - a unique architectural ensemble of the city, created during the heyday of the Pisa republic, and now attracts a lot of tourists from all over the world, as well as masterpieces of sculpture and painting of the era Rebirth.
Leaning Tower of Pisa as a major attraction
Undoubtedly the most famous attraction of Pisa is Falling tower, which is part of the architectural ensemble on Miracoli Square, which includes St. Mary's Cathedral, the Baptistery and the Campo Santo cemetery.
The history of the Leaning Tower of Pisa began in 1173 - after the construction of three floors, construction was suspended due to the slope of the structure caused by subsidence of the soil, as well as an insufficiently strong foundation. They resumed construction in 1275, but even then the tower was not completed - the belfry crowned the building only at the end of the XIV century. Thus, the construction of the Leaning Tower of Pisa lasted almost two hundred years.
Unified architectural complex on Miracles Square
The diameter of the base of the tower is 15.5 meters, the height of the structure is 56.7 meters. To the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, inclined at an angle of about 4 degrees, leads a staircase with 294 steps.
The angle of inclination of the tower is slowly but surely increasing, which forces scientists to look for ways to strengthen the structure - they are trying to secure the Leaning Tower of Pisa with the help of powerful steel ropes, removing part of the soil from the opposite side of the slope, freezing the soil and foundation with liquid nitrogen.
Leaning Tower of Pisa open to visitors throughout the year, only the opening hours vary depending on the season.
Cheap hotels in Pisa near the tower
Not far from the Leaning Tower of Pisa you can find good hotels - cozy, comfortable, with quite affordable prices.
Window To The Tower is an affordable hotel located just a hundred meters from the famous tower. A cozy guest house is located on the second floor of a building built in the 19th century. Some rooms have direct views of Piazza de Miracoli. More information about the Window To The Tower hotel, reviews and room reservation here.
The construction of the Baptistery lasted from 1152 to 1363.
Soggiorno Athena 3 * is located a little further from the tower - three hundred meters. Modern comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, a wonderful breakfast room, a large garden with comfortable garden furniture where you can enjoy a cup of coffee or tea - all this makes Hotel Soggiorno Athena very popular with tourists. Learn more about Soggiorno Athena 3 *, see photos and reviews of tourists, and book a room here.
Hotel Bologna 4 * is located a 12-minute walk from the leaning tower. Its elegant rooms feature huge floor-to-ceiling windows and warm wooden floors. Guests are offered a traditional Italian breakfast, which can be enjoyed both in the hotel building and on the outdoor terrace, located in the cozy courtyard. In the evenings, the hotel bar offers free Tuscan product tastings. Details about Hotel Bologna 4 * and room reservation here.
In addition to these hotels, in Pisa there are many others for every taste and budget. A detailed list of them, with descriptions, reviews and prices, can be viewed at this link. For your convenience, we selected only those hotels that are located near the Leaning Tower.
What else to see: other sights of Pisa
The Leaning Tower is far from the only Pisa landmark. On the Square of Miracles, where the Leaning Tower of Pisa is located, the Cathedral of St. Mary is located - a magnificent building, to the creation of which the famous Italian masters of the XI-XII centuries had a hand. In the architectural appearance of the cathedral mixed Romanesque, Byzantine, Norman styles. Until recently, the interior of the cathedral was decorated with famous sculptures and paintings, now transferred to the museum.
In the same place, on the Square of Miracles, there is also the famous Baptistery - Italy’s largest baptismal site with unique acoustics.
The city of Pisa is the birthplace of one of the oldest educational institutions in Europe - the University of Pisa, existing since the 11th century. One of the most famous university students is Galileo Galilei, who later taught mathematics there. The university has a luxurious Botanical Garden - the first in Europe; It was founded in 1544 with the support of the Duke Cosimo I of Medici.
The Museum of Ancient Ships, the Museum of the Leaning Cathedral of Pisa, as well as numerous churches and palaces of the city deserve attention.
