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Pisa
Pisa is a small city located in the Tuscany region. Best known for its Leaning Tower, Duomo and Baptistry, in the past Pisa was a very important trading centre in the Mediterranean Sea with strong links with Spain and North Africa. Its wonderful buildings are testimony of its wealth.
Leaning Tower of Pisa
 
The Torre di Pisa (the Leaning Tower of Pisa) is the  bell tower of the Cathedral. Due to its poor foundation and heavy weight, the tower began to sink already during  its construction which began in 1173 and took 117 years to complete.In 1990 the tower was closed to the public to carry out major stabilization work and prevent its collapse. Soil was removed (38 cubic metres) from underneath the raised side of the tower and again in 2008 to finally stabilized the tower. Today for the first time in history the tower is not moving anymore. The expert said that it should stay this way for the next 200 years.
Battistero di San Giovanni
 
The Baptistry of St. John is the largest baptistry in Italy. Built in 1152 under the architect Diotisalvi in Romanesque style, it was then given a Gothic look (upper part ) by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano. The Gothic dome was added later by Cellino di Nese at the beginning of the 14th Century and the baptistry was finally completed in 1363.
Duomo di Pisa
 
The Duomo is right in the centre of Piazza dei Miracoli. The construction of this  impressive medieval cathedral was began by the architect Buscheto in 1063 and the church was consacrated by Pope Gelasio II in 1118. The fusion of different styles can be seen both in the interior and the exterior of the cathedral. From the Romanesque facade to the pointed arches with muslim influence to the interior mosaics with some strong Byzantine influence. The dome was redecorated in 1595 after a big fire destroyed several medieval art works. The cathedral has a beatiful pulpit sculpted by Nicola Pisano, some interesting frescoes and a fantasic ceiling.
Pulpit inside Cathedral by Giovanni Pisano (1302 - 1311)
Coffer Ceiling
 
Other places to see in Pisa
 
The Piazza dei Cavalieri (Knights’ Square ) was a very important political centre in medieval Pisa and is the second largest square of the city. The square is house to several buildings:
Palazzo della Carovana - the palace was transformed in 1810 and since then it has been home to the Scuola Normale Superiore (university) founded by Napoleon.
Palazzo del Collegio Puteano which was built in its present form between 1549 -1598 and is part of the Scuola Normale Superiore.
Palazzo dell'Orologio (1605 -1608) which is also used as a part of the Scuola Normale Superiore and contains its library.
Palazzo  del Consiglio dei Dodici (Palace of the Council of  Twelve) which was restored by Pietro Francavilla towards the end 0f the 16th century; Francavilla is also author of the Statue of Cosimo I and the fountain (1596), both located in the square.
Chiesa dei Cavalieri, built by Vasari (1565-1569).
Palazzo della Carovana
Statue of Cosimo I                                    Palazzo del Collegio Puteano
Palazzo dell'Orologio                                 Chiesa dei Cavalieri
Palazzo  del Consiglio dei Dodici
Santa Maria della Spina Pisa
 
The small Church of Santa Maria della Spina (St. Mary of the Thorn) is located on the banks of the river Arno. The church was dismantled and moved to its current position in 1871 as its original position was too close to the river and at risk of flooding. In the process the church was slightly altered; nevertheless it is a fine example of Gothic architecture.
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